Vascular Surgery

Mesenteric Ischemia is a condition caused by poor blood supply to the small intestine, colon or both and eventually results in gangrene of the bowel wall. It may also affect other organs in the digestive system. Due to poor circulation blockages may form that compromises the function of those organs. Mesenteric ischemia has both acute and chronic forms. Acute ischemia seeks a surgical emergency. It is associated with both embolic and thrombotic occlusions. 40-50% of the cases are related to embolic occlusions whereas 20-35% of the cases are due to thrombotic occlusions. Mesenteric ischemia is rare but is potentially a life-threatening condition. Treatment is by embolectomy, revascularization of viable segment or resection and sometimes vasodilator therapy is successful.