Mesenteric ischemia: Recognizing an uncommon disorder and distinguishing among its causes

Article Figures & Data

TABLE 1

Causes and clinical features of acute mesenteric ischemia

Cause	Incidence (%)	Clinical features	Risk factors
Arterial embolism	49	Acute, severe abdominal pain Peritonitis Bloody bowel movements	Atrial fibrillation Left ventricular dysfunction Aortic atherosclerosis Endocarditis
Arterial thrombosis	29	Postprandial pain Weight loss Food aversion	Atherosclerosis (acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia) Abdominal trauma Dissection Vasculitis
Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia	20	Peritonitis Sepsis	Critical illness Vasoconstrictive medications
Venous thrombosis	10	Vague, colicky abdominal pain	Surgery Inflammatory bowel disease Cirrhosis Sepsis Malignancy Hypercoagulability