Acute mesenteric ischemia: a clinical review

Arch Intern Med. 2004 May 24;164(10):1054-62. doi: 10.1001/archinte.164.10.1054.

Abstract

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening vascular emergency that requires early diagnosis and intervention to adequately restore mesenteric blood flow and to prevent bowel necrosis and patient death. The underlying cause is varied, and the prognosis depends on the precise pathologic findings. Despite the progress in understanding the pathogenesis of mesenteric ischemia and the development of modern treatment modalities, acute mesenteric ischemia remains a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, and the delay in diagnosis contributes to the continued high mortality rate. Early diagnosis and prompt effective treatment are essential to improve the clinical outcome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestines / blood supply*
  • Ischemia / diagnosis*
  • Ischemia / mortality
  • Ischemia / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / diagnosis*
  • Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / mortality
  • Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / therapy*
  • Prognosis
  • Reperfusion / adverse effects
  • Reperfusion / methods
  • Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome