Acute Vascular Disorders of the Intestine

Abstract

Mesenteric ischemia is caused by insufficient blood supply to the foregut and intestines. When the blood supply does not meet the metabolic requirements of these organs, catastrophic complications may result. Death is imminent in the setting of acute mesenteric ischemia if diagnosis is delayed; associated mortality rates are as high as 60% to 80%. The severity and extent of this disease depend on the nature of the vascular obstruction and the type of occluded vessel.