It occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage in any of the three mesenteric arteries that carry blood to the large and small intestines. If left untreated, the disease can cause abdominal pain after eating and progressive weight loss. If the blood flow to the intestines becomes severely blocked, the intestines can die.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sudden (acute) mesenteric artery ischemia due to a traveling blood clot:
- Diarrhea.
- Sudden severe abdominal pain.
- Vomiting.
Treatment
Mesenteric Artery Ischemia is an emergency. If a blood clot is causing it, you may need to take medicines to dissolve the clot (thrombolytics) and widen the mesenteric arteries (vasodilators). Surgery may be needed to treat mesenteric ischemia. In some cases, the surgeon must also create a bypass around the blockage.
For acquired fistulas, surgery.
The condition is more common in smokers and in patients with high blood pressure or blood cholesterol.