What is an angioectasia?
An angioectasia is a tiny, feebly constructed blood vessel in the stomach, small intestine or colon, and may bleed either sporadically or on a permanent basis.
Diagnosis of angioectasia How is angioectasia diagnosed?
A diagnosis is made by the endoscopic means such as colonoscopy or capsule endoscopy, which is generally supplemented by imaging studies and blood tests to detect occult bleeding.
What ICD-10 code is used in the instance of angioectasias?
The initial one is K31.819 of vascular malformation of the digestive system. The rest are K55.89 colonic/small bowel angioectasia and K31.89 stomach angioectasia.
Is there an effect of angioectasia on the colon?
Yes. Angioectasias may develop in the colon where it may result in the loss of blood which may be seen or unseen.
Is it necessarily angioectasia which causes bleeding?
No. Angioectasias are not manifest in the majority of cases, but there are those that cause slow and chronic bleeding with a possibility of anemia.
What is stomach angioectasia?
Angioectasia of the stomach lining is described as the abnormal weak blood vessels of the stomach which is normally coded under K31.89 under ICD-10.
Is angioectasia painful?
Angioectasias tend to be painless unless there is very severe bleeding or a complication of the gastrointestinal tract.
Angioectasia bleeding? Treatment?
Bleeding vessels which are sealed with heat or plasma therapy are endoscoped. Treatment of anemia can be done through iron supplementation or blood transfusion.
Any possibility of the recurrence of angioectasias?
Yes. New or recurring lesions may develop with time hence follow-ups with endoscopies are also necessary.
When is the angioectasia to be pursued by the doctor?
Test in case of any of the following conditions; you have seen blood in your stool, you experience unaccounted fatigue or dizziness, or you have a laboratory result that shows you have a low level of iron or anemia.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr. Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG
| Updated 03-17-2026