Mesenteric artery ischemia

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Mesenteric Vascular Disease

Chronic (long-term) mesenteric artery ischemia caused by atherosclerosis is commonly associated with abdominal pain after eating, and, occasionally, diarrhea.

Acute (sudden) mesenteric artery ischemia due to a traveling blood clot is frequently associated with sudden severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In acute mesenteric ischemia, blood tests may show a higher-than-normal white blood cell (WBC) count and changes in the blood-acid level.

A CT scan may show problems with the blood vessels and the intestine.

A mesenteric angiogram is a test that involves injecting a special dye into your bloodstream to highlight the arteries of an intestine, and then taking x-rays of the area. This can show the location of the blockage in the artery.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.