Argon Plasma Coagulation
Argon plasma coagulation or APC is a medical endoscopic procedure used primarily to ablate and control bleeding from certain lesions in the gastrointestinal tract. It is administered during an EGD procedure or colonoscopy.
APC involves the use of a jet of ionized argon gas (plasma) that is directed through a probe passed through an endoscope during the procedure. The probe is placed at some distance from the bleeding lesion, and argon gas is emitted, resulting in coagulation of the bleeding lesion. As no physical contact is made with the lesion, the procedure is safe and can be used to treat bleeding in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The depth of coagulation is usually only a few millimeters.