• Definition: a common degenerative disorder of GI vessels (mostly venous) that can cause GI bleeding
• Epidemiology: predominantly seen in individuals > 60 years of age
• Etiology: associated with von Willebrand disease, aortic stenosis (e.g., Heyde syndrome), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD)
• Clinical features
  • Manifests with episodic bleeding (hematochezia) , fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, and, potentially, hematemesis
  • Physical examination: tachycardia, pallor
• Diagnostics
  • Laboratory studies
    • Positive fecal occult blood test
    • CBC and iron studies to evaluate for anemia
  • Endoscopy: the preferred method for establishing diagnosis
    • Findings
      • Lesions are usually multiple tortuous dilated vessels, most commonly located in the right-sided colon
  • Angiography
    • Gold standard
    • Indication: recurrent bleeding with inconclusive endoscopy