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Tuesday, November 24, 2009
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Mesenteric artery ischemia

Alternative Names

Mesenteric Vascular Disease


Symptoms

Symptoms of long-term (chronic) mesenteric artery ischemia caused by atherosclerosis:

  • Abdominal pain after eating
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms of sudden (acute) mesenteric artery ischemia due to a traveling blood clot:

  • Diarrhea
  • Sudden severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting

Signs and tests

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. Then x-rays are taken of the area. This can show the location of the blockage in the artery.



Review Date: 05/15/2008
Reviewed By: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
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