Mesenteric ischemia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Acute mesenteric artery ischemia is an emergency. If a blood clot is causing it, you may need to take medicines to dissolve the clot (thrombolytics) and widen the mesenteric arteries (vasodilators). Surgery may be needed to treat mesenteric ischemia. In some cases, the surgeon must also create a bypass around the blockage. 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. It is usually done with a plastic tube graft.
An alternative to surgery is a stent. It may be inserted to enlarge the blockage in the mesenteric artery or deliver medicine directly to the affected area. This is a new technique and it should only be done by experienced health care providers. The outcome is usually better with surgery.


==Where to find medical care for (disease name)?==
==Where to find medical care for (disease name)?==

Revision as of 18:20, 4 September 2012

Overview

Mesenteric artery ischemia occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the three mesenteric arteries, the major arteries that supply the small and large intestines.

What are the symptoms of mesenteric ischemia?

Symptoms of long-term (chronic) mesenteric ischemia caused by hardening of the arteries atherosclerosis

  • Abdominal pain after eating
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms of sudden (acute) mesenteric artery ischemia due to a traveling blood clot:

  • Diarrhea
  • Sudden severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting

What causes mesenteric ischemia?

Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the intestine causes mesenteric ischemia. The arteries that supply blood to the intestines run directly from the aorta, the main artery from the heart. Mesenteric artery ischemia is often seen in people who have hardening of the arteries in other parts of the body (for example, those with coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease). The condition is more common in smokers and in patients with high blood pressure or blood cholesterol.

Mesenteric ischemia may also be caused by a blood clot (embolus) that moves through the blood and suddenly blocks one of the mesenteric arteries. The clots usually come from the heart or aorta. These clots are more commonly seen in patients with abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as atrial fibrillation.

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have:

  • Changes in bowel habits
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting

Treatment options

Acute mesenteric artery ischemia is an emergency. If a blood clot is causing it, you may need to take medicines to dissolve the clot (thrombolytics) and widen the mesenteric arteries (vasodilators). Surgery may be needed to treat mesenteric ischemia. In some cases, the surgeon must also create a bypass around the blockage. 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. It is usually done with a plastic tube graft.

An alternative to surgery is a stent. It may be inserted to enlarge the blockage in the mesenteric artery or deliver medicine directly to the affected area. This is a new technique and it should only be done by experienced health care providers. The outcome is usually better with surgery.

Where to find medical care for (disease name)?

Prevention

The following lifestyle changes can reduce your risk for narrowing of the arteries:

  • Exercise
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Get treatment for a heart arrhythmia
  • Keep your blood cholesterol under control
  • Keep your blood pressure under control
  • Stop smoking

To prevent acute mesenteric artery ischemia, also control any heart rhythm problems that may cause the blood to clot.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

In the case of chronic mesenteric ischemia, the outlook after a successful surgery is good. However, if appropriate lifestyle changes (such as a healthy diet and exercise) are not made, any problems with hardening of the arteries will generally get worse over time. Persons with acute mesenteric ischemia usually do poorly, since death of the intestine often occurs before surgery is done. However, when diagnosed and treated right away, patients with acute mesenteric ischemia can be treated successfully.

Possible complications

Tissue death from lack of blood flow (infarction) in the intestines is the most serious complication of mesenteric artery ischemia. Surgery may be needed to remove the dead portion.

Sources