Mesenteric artery ischemia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Mesenteric artery ischemia

Alternative Names:

Mesenteric Vascular Disease

Treatment:

Treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia usually requires surgery. The blockage in the involved arteries is removed, and the arteries reconnected to the aorta. Alternatively, a bypass around the blockage, usually with a prosthetic plastic tube graft, is performed.

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a surgical emergency. An operation is performed, and the clot removed from the artery. In some cases, a bypass must also be performed.

As an alternative to surgery, sometimes a stent may be inserted to enlarge the blockage of the mesenteric artery. This is a new technique, and should only be performed by experienced physicians.

Expectations (prognosis):

In the case of chronic mesenteric ischemia, the outlook after a successful surgery is good. However, if appropriate lifestyle changes are not made, patients generally will suffer from progression of their atherosclerotic disease in the heart or other arteries over the long term.

Acute mesenteric ischemia often has a poor prognosis, since death of the intestine often occurs before surgical intervention is accomplished. However, when diagnosed and treated early, patients with acute mesenteric ischemia can be treated successfully.

Complications:

Infarction (tissue death from lack of blood flow) of the intestines is the most serious complication of mesenteric ischemia.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your physician for any severe abdominal pain, fevers, nausea, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits.

Review Date: 7/14/2004
Reviewed By: Norman S. Kato, MD, Surgeon with the Cardiac Care Medical Group, Encino, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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