Mesenteric Ischemia

Abstract

Acute Mesenteric IschemiaBecause of its varied presentations, multiple causes, and high mortality rate, acute mesenteric ischemia remains a very difficult clinical problem. Its complexity in part reflects the fact that although obstruction of mesenteric arterial and venous flow has a primary role in the ischemia, inadequate collateral flow, arterial spasm, and a decrease in perfusion pressure at times initiate or accentuate the extent of the ischemic injury.Of the cases of acute mesenteric infarction diagnosed before death, about half have been due to superior mesenteric artery occlusion, one fourth to nonocclusive infarction, and one fourth to inferior mesenteric artery . . .