Argon Plasma Coagulation

Preparation for argon plasma coagulation depends on whether you have it during:

• Bronchoscopy, which accesses your lungs through your nose or mouth.
• Colonoscopy, which examines the inside of your large intestine (colon).
• Upper endoscopy and double balloon enteroscopy, which examine your esophagus, stomach and small intestine.

Your healthcare team may ask you to avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the procedure. Or they may prescribe bowel preparation to clear out your digestive system beforehand. They also may ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications, like aspirin and blood thinners.

Your physician may recommend anesthesia to keep you comfortable during APC. This requires inserting a thin tube in your vein (called an intravenous line or IV).

Then, your gastroenterologist will:

1. Have you lie down on a treatment table or bed.
2. Insert a thin, flexible scope into your body via your mouth or nose (upper endoscopy or bronchoscopy) or your anus (colonoscopy). The scope has a tiny light and camera at the end to guide the procedure.
3. Place a grounding pad near your body to protect you from the electrical current.
4. Use a catheter to insert an argon plasma coagulation device through the scope and thread it to the appropriate place inside your body.
5. Release argon gas through the catheter and then ignite it using the electrical current.
6. Adjust the position of the catheter and the levels of argon gas and electrical current, as needed.
7. Remove the scope, catheter and grounding pad when finished.

Argon plasma coagulation usually takes 15 minutes to an hour.