Angiodysplasia (patient information)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]
|
Angiodysplasia |
|
Angiodysplasia On the Web |
|---|
Overview
Angiodysplasia of the colon is swollen, fragile blood vessels in the colon that occasionally result in blood loss from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
What are the symptoms of angiodysplasia?
The symptoms vary. Often, in elderly patients, the symptoms are weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath due to anemia. There may not be any signs of bleeding directly from the colon. Others may have occasional mild or severe bleeding episodes with bright red blood coming from the rectum.
There is no pain associated with angiodysplasia.
What causes angiodysplasia?
Angiodysplasia of the colon is mostly related to the aging and degeneration of the blood vessels. It usually occurs in older adults. It is almost always seen on the right side of the colon. There are several theories about the cause. The most likely cause is that normal spasms of the colon lead to enlargement of blood vessels in the area. This swelling becomes so severe that a small direct passageway develops between a very small artery and vein. This is called an arteriovenous fistula. It is in this area of the colon wall that the patient is at risk for bleeding.
Angiodysplasia of the colon is very rarely related to other diseases of the blood vessels, including Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome. It is not related to cancer, and is different than diverticulosis, a more common cause of intestinal bleeding in older adults.
Who is at highest risk?
Persons over the age of 60 years old are in the highest risk age group for angiodysplasia.