TABLE 1

Causes and clinical features of acute mesenteric ischemia

CauseIncidence (%)Clinical featuresRisk factors
Arterial embolism49Acute, severe abdominal pain
Peritonitis
Bloody bowel movements
Atrial fibrillation
Left ventricular dysfunction
Aortic atherosclerosis
Endocarditis
Arterial thrombosis29Postprandial pain
Weight loss
Food aversion
Atherosclerosis (acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia)
Abdominal trauma
Dissection
Vasculitis
Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia20Peritonitis
Sepsis
Critical illness
Vasoconstrictive medications
Venous thrombosis10Vague, colicky abdominal painSurgery
Inflammatory bowel disease
Cirrhosis
Sepsis
Malignancy
Hypercoagulability
  • Based on information from references 6 and 8.