[Management of acute intestinal arterial ischemia]

Abstract

Acute mesenteric ischemia is an infrequent abdominal emergency. The 90% mortality of this affection is related to a delayed diagnosis. The mesenteric ischemia and the mesenteric infarction are two different pathologic stages characterized by two different treatment and prognosis. Superior mesenteric artery embolism is the most frequent cause of mesenteric ischemia. According a difficult clinical diagnosis and the necessity of an early diagnosis we suggest an aggressive attitude. All the patients presenting risk factors and an abdominal pain must have a mesenteric angiography. The purpose of the angiography is diagnostic and therapeutic. The aim of surgery in case of mesenteric ischemia is to restore a normal vascularisation. In spite of this attitude the prognosis of this affection remain poor.