SERVICES
EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Argon Plasma Coagulation
Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a service done to intervene for internal bleeding emergencies. It involves argon gas being used to deliver plasma of evenly distributed thermal energy to an injured tissue within the gastrointestinal tract. It is done as a speedy treatment of multiple lesions around a fold and not clearly in view or an injury that cannot be positioned directly in front of the endoscope.
Why might argon plasma coagulation be needed?
Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is often used in the case of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), angiodysplasias or traumas in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the rapid speed at which the APC delivers plasma, it is commonly used for emergencies.
Why would argon plasma coagulation be used for these emergencies?
Argon plasma coagulation (APC) was developed as an alternative to the contact thermal coagulation which uses a heater probe and cautery and non-contact laser. The advantage of argon plasma coagulation is that it is easy to use and fast acting. It offers a non-contact thermal method of hemostasis with reduced depth of penetration and is more cost-effective than laser.
Gastrocure, Eastern Cape
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