Mesenteric ischemia

Review

Mesenteric ischemia (mez-un-TER-ik is-KEE-me-uh) does occur when narrowed or blocked arteries restrict the flow of blood to a gut. Blood flow can permanently damage the small gut.

Sudden loss of blood flow to the gut (severe mesenteric ischemia) from a blood clot demands immediate surgery. Mesenteric ischemia that develops over time (chronic) is treated with angioplasty or open surgery.

Chronic mesenteric ischemia contribute to body weight loss and malnutrition or may get severe.

Symptoms

Acute mesenteric ischemia

Symptoms and signs of this severe form of ischemia comprise:

• Abrupt, acute abdominal pain
• Urgent should have a bowel movement
• Fever
• vomiting and nausea

Chronic mesenteric ischemia

Symptoms and signs of this form of ischemia comprise:

• Abdominal pain that starts about 30 minutes after ingestion
• Pain that worsens over one hour
• Pain that goes away within one to three hours

When to see a doctor

When you have seek emergency health attention. Create an appointment with your doctor, Should you develop pain after ingestion.

Reasons

Both severe and chronic mesenteric ischemia are due to a decline in blood flow to the intestine. A blood clot from the mesenteric artery most frequently causes acute mesenteric ischemia. The blood clot frequently originates from one`s heart. The form is most frequently brought on.

Infection

Acute mesenteric ischemia can result in if not treated immediately:

• Sepsis. This potentially lifethreatening illness is brought on by the body releasing compounds into the blood vessels to resist illness. In sepsis, the human system overreacts to the compounds changes that can lead to multiple organ failure.
• Irreversible bowel damage. Insufficient blood flow to the intestine can cause elements of the bowel to die.
• Passing. Both of the above complications can result in death.

People with chronic mesenteric ischemia could grow:

• Fear of eating. This occurs because of the after-meal pain related to the problem.
• Unintentional weight loss. This could occur as a result of the fear of ingestion.
• Acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia. Symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia could progress, resulting in the severe form of the problem.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect that you have chronic ischemia after ingestion that causes you to limit food and get rid of weight when you have pain. A narrowing of the arteries to the intestine can help confirm the identification.

Tests could include:

• Angiography. Your doctor may suggest a CT scan, MRI or x ray of your abdomen to determine if the arteries to a gut have narrowed. Adding a contrast dye (mesenteric angiogram, CT angiography or magnetic resonance angiography) can help pinpoint the narrowing.
• Doppler ultrasound. This noninvasive test uses sound waves to estimate blood flow, which can determine narrowing of their arteries.

Therapy

When a blood clot causes a lack of blood flow to the small gut, then you might call for surgery to treat your ischemia. Mesenteric ischemia that develops overtime may be treated with a procedure that utilizes a balloon to start the narrowed area.

A mesh tube (stent) might be placed at the narrowed area. Mesenteric ischemia can also be treated through an incision via surgery.

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