The Use of Thalidomide in Severe Refractory Anaemia Due to Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) in Cirrhosis

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with cirrhosis. The first-line treatment is endoscopic therapy with argon plasma coagulation (APC). There is a high recurrence rate, but some evidence suggests that thalidomide could play an important role in controlling refractory anaemia due to GAVE. The authors present the case of a cirrhotic patient with a recent diagnosis of GAVE, who underwent multiple endoscopic treatments and blood transfusions because of haematemesis. The patient started thalidomide and 6 months later, there was no recurrence of haematemesis and haemoglobin levels were stable, with no reported adverse effects. LEARNING POINTS The chronic bleeding associated with gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) presenting with cirrhosis is more severe than that associated with portal hypertensive gastropathy.Argon plasma coagulation remains the first-line treatment, but GAVE has a high recurrence rate.Thalidomide could be an effective and safe option for recurrent bleeding due to GAVE in patients with cirrhosis.