Vascular Disorders

Abstract

Small intestinal vascular diseases are comprised of conditions, both anatomical and functional, that may result in compromised blood flow to segments of the small intestine, producing bowel ischemia and/or infarction. Etiologies of intestinal ischemia include acute mesenteric arterial ischemia, acute mesenteric venous ischemia, acute nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and chronic mesenteric ischemia. Despite advance in diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates remain high, particularly among patients with acute mesenteric ischemia, largely due to challenges in making a timely diagnosis. Prompt recognition of symptoms suggestive of intestinal ischemia, leading to early diagnostic and therapeutic intervention, remains the most important determinant of morbidity and mortality among patients with intestinal ischemia.