ACUTE MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA

Acute mesenteric ischemia may result from mesenteric arterial occlusio n (embolism or thrombosis), mesenteric venous occlusion, and nonocclus ive processes. Because the duration of the ischemic episode has the mo st profound effect on outcome, a heightened clinical suspicion must be maintained in these patients at risk. Once the diagnosis of acute mes enteric ischemia is confirmed, prompt revascularization is the only op portunity to salvage these critically ill patients.