Juliet Cohen

Detailed Information on Mesenteric Artery Ischemia

Mesenteric ischemia is caused by decreased intestinal blood flow that can be caused by a number of mechanisms.

Mesenteric artery ischemia also known as, mesenteric ischemia, acute mesenteric ischemia or chronic mesenteric ischemia. Mesenteric artery ischemia is a narrowing or impediment of one or more of the three mesenteric arteries, which are the main arteries supplying the small and big intestines. Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the intestine causes mesenteric ischemia. These arteries that supply blood to this area run directly from the aorta, the main artery from the heart.

Mesenteric artery ischemia is frequently seen in people with hardening of the arteries elsewhere in the body.  The condition is more common in smokers and in patients with high cholesterol. Mesenteric ischemia may also be result by a blood clot (embolus) that moves through the blood and abruptly blocks one of the mesenteric arteries. The clots usually come from the heart or the aorta. These clots are more commonly seen in patients with abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation. Mesenteric ischemia can be either chronic or acute. Chronic means that you have had the condition and symptoms over a relatively long period of time.

Acute means that the symptoms begin abruptly and become very serious in a short period of time. Acute mesenteric ischemia can be further divided into embolic, thrombotic, or nonocclusive causes. Chronic mesenteric ischemia can progress without warning to acute mesenteric ischemia, sometimes very rapidly. Mesenteric ischemia usually occurs in people older than age 60. The symptoms of mesenteric artery ischemia are divided chronic and acute. Chronic is commonly associated with abdominal pain after eating, and, occasionally, diarrhea. Acute (sudden) is frequently associated with sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Treatment for acute mesenteric ischemia is usually an emergency procedure, since severe intestinal damage can arise rapidly in this setting. Surgery is performed to remove the clot.  Surgery for chronic mesenteric artery ischemia involves removing the blockage and reconnecting the arteries to the aorta. A bypass around the blockage is another procedure. Angioplasty and stenting is a newer method for opening a mesenteric artery and bracing it open to allow the blood to flow through. It can sometimes be performed at the time of the angiogram. To prevent acute mesenteric artery ischemia, also control any heart rhythm problems.

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