Gastric antral vascular ectasia (
GAVE) is an uncommon cause of chronic
gastrointestinal bleeding or
iron deficiency anemia. The condition is associated with dilated small blood vessels in the
antrum, or the last part of the
stomach. The dilated vessels result in intestinal bleeding. It is also called
watermelon stomach because streaky long red areas that are present in the stomach may resemble the markings on
watermelon.