Ablation of the Gastric Cardia for GERD: A Comprehensive Technical and Clinical Review

Department

Internal Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Practical Gastroenterology

Abstract

Anti-Reflux Mucosal Ablation (ARMA) is an innovative endoscopic intervention for managing PPI-refractory GERD by enhancing the structural integrity of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Utilizing controlled thermal ablation, ARMA induces localized mucosal fibrosis to reinforce the anti-reflux barrier. Clinical studies demonstrate significant improvements in GERD symptoms, acid exposure time, and DeMeester scores, with over 70% clinical success in one year. The procedure is well-tolerated, with manageable complications such as transient stenosis treated via endoscopic dilation. ARMA offers advantages over surgical fundoplication due to its reduced procedural complexity and minimally invasive nature. While early outcomes are promising, larger multicenter trials are needed to validate long-term efficacy and define optimal patient selection, particularly in those with mild to moderate GEJ abnormalities.

First Page

18

Last Page

23

Volume

49

Issue

5

Publication Date

5-1-2025

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