gastrointestinal disorders
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
Key Points
Early diagnosis is critical because mortality increases significantly once intestinal infarction has occurred. Initially, pain is severe, but physical findings are minimal. Surgical exploration is often the best diagnostic measure for patients with clear peritoneal findings. For other patients, mesenteric angiography or CT angiography is done. Treatment options include embolectomy, revascularization, and resection. 