Could attacks of abdominal pain in cases of acute intermittent porphyria be due to intestinal angina?

Abdominal pain is by far the most serious symptom in attacks of acute inter mittent porphyria. Its cause is unknown. This case study suggests visceral ischaemia as a possible cause of the abdominal pain. A 31-year-old woman wi th recurrent bouts died during an attack; the autopsy revealed a 20-cm necr otic gangrene in the ileum. A protracted intestinal vasospasm could have be en the immediate cause of death. It is discussed whether intestinal angina could be the cause of the abdominal pain in acute intermittent porphyria.