Mesenteric ischemia

Mesenteric ischemia occurs when blocked arteries restrict blood flow to the small intestine, which can cause severe pain and serious complications. The condition is classified as either chronic, meaning it develops over time, or acute, meaning it happens suddenly and requires immediate care.

We believe in tailoring treatment plans to the individual. Traditionally, the approach to treating mesenteric ischemia has required extensive surgery, but we do things differently. Our vascular surgeons are highly skilled in traditional procedures for treating mesenteric ischemia, such as bypass surgery, and will use them when they are the best fit for your particular condition. However, we also understand that many patients suffering from this condition are facing a number of other ailments, and invasive surgeries can be hard to recover from. Therefore, we take a minimally invasive approach to treatment whenever possible, forgoing incisions and using catheters and wires to correct the blockage in the arteries.

In situations where a minimally invasive option isn’t feasible, we may use a hybrid procedure which may utilize a combination of surgery and minimally invasive techniques to avoid more extensive, conventional surgery. Our commitment to offering cutting-edge, fine-tuned treatment plans like this one allows us to reduce your pain and your recovery time, while effectively treating your condition head-on. No matter which treatment is right for your situation, you can count on our team to deliver it.

Symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia include:

• An aversion to food
• Pain in the abdomen after eating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Flatulence
• Slow, progressive weight loss

Acute mesenteric ischemia presents with a sudden, cramping pain in the abdomen, as well as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

If you experience any symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia, it is important to consult your doctor before more serious problems develop. Chronic mesenteric ischemia can progress to acute mesenteric ischemia suddenly and without warning. If you experience symptoms related to acute mesenteric ischemia, you should seek medical attention immediately, as this condition can be life-threatening. (When left untreated, the mortality rates for acute mesenteric ischemia are very high.)

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is most often caused by a gradual buildup of plaque in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis. This buildup may cause other conditions to develop, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), a circulatory condition in which compressed blood vessels cut off blood flow to the limbs, or coronary artery disease (CAD), the narrowing or blocking of the coronary arteries, both of which can also lead to mesenteric ischemia.

Acute mesenteric ischemia is most commonly caused by a blood clot which travels to one of the mesenteric arteries and blocks blood flow. These clots usually originate in the heart.

If you have been diagnosed with atherosclerosis, PAD or CAD, you may be at risk for mesenteric ischemia. Other risk factors include a history of smoking, old age, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Mesenteric ischemia is uncommon, accounting for less than 1 percent of the causes for abdominal pain. The condition is more common in patients over the age of 60, and the risk for developing it increases with age.  

Though rare, mesenteric ischemia is very serious due to the complications associated with it. For chronic cases, a progression to acute mesenteric ischemia is a cause for concern. Complications stemming from acute cases include the death of cells and tissues in the bowel (often requiring bowel resection), sepsis and even death.

Depending on the type or severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend a medical treatment, such as thrombolytics, which dissolve blood clots; anticoagulants, which prevent blood clots; or antibiotics. As with any medication, there may be some side effects to consider, which our experts will discuss with you in full detail.  

Chronic mesenteric ischemia can usually be treated with a minimally invasive procedure, which means less pain, smaller incisions and a quicker recovery process. For acute or more severe cases, a traditional surgical approach may be warranted. Your vascular expert will make it a point to discuss every treatment option available to you, as well as the recovery process associated with each one.  

Depending on which risk factors contributed to your condition, there may be steps you can take to keep it from worsening, many of which are rooted in your lifestyle. We may recommend you stop smoking, exercise more, eat healthy foods and control co-existing conditions that put you at risk for serious complications. Our specialists will work with you to manage existing conditions and risk factors, uncovering solutions that fit your day-to-day life.

You should ask your doctor about the likelihood that the condition will recur. Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a manageable and effective treatment plan to reduce that risk.

When it comes to preventing mesenteric ischemia, lifestyle choices are pertinent. Quitting smoking, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet will reduce your risk of developing this condition.