Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common life-threatening condition causing significant morbidity and mortality without appropriate treatment and interventional radiology (IR) has key role in the management of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, especially when endoscopy fails or if the patient is a poor surgical candidate. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and nuclear scintigraphy can localize the source of bleeding and provide vital information for the interventional radiologist to guide therapeutic management with endovascular approach. Endovascular embolization can be performed promptly and effectively with successful outcomes. In lower GI bleeding, embolization is generally performed with coils or liquid embolic agents because of the lack of collateral supply to the lower GI tract, embolization should be very selective. In conclusion, catheter directed angiography and embolization is safe and efficacious in patients with lower GI bleeding. Keywords: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding, Interventional radiology, Angiography, Embolization