Argon Plasma Coagulation
Argon Plasma Coagulation
Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a medical endoscopic procedure used to control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract and to debulk tumours for which surgery is not recommended. It is administered during esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. APC involves the use of a jet of ionized argon gas (plasma) directed through a probe passed through the endoscope.
The probe is placed at some distance from the bleeding lesion, and argon gas is emitted, then ionized by a high-voltage discharge . High-frequency electric current is then conducted through the jet of gas, resulting in coagulation of the bleeding lesion.
Argon Plasma Coagulation Work
Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a noncontact form of electrocautery that uses ionized argon gas (plasma) to conduct electrical current from the probe to the tissue. Because positively charged argon gas flows toward the negatively charged tissue, treatment can be directed in an axial or tangential fashion.