The condition may occur with cardiovascular disease. The buildup of fatty deposits, called atherosclerosis , can lead to heart disease as well as ischemia. High cholesterol contributes to ischemia because it causes plaque to line your arteries. This plaque buildup causes narrowing of the vessels and reduces the blood flow to your intestines. Factors that increase your likelihood for plaque buildup include:. Blood clots can also block the mesenteric arteries and reduce blood flow to the digestive tract.
A blood clot is a group of blood cells that stick together. The most common cause of blood clots that cause acute mesenteric ischemia is heart disease, especially atrial fibrillation. A blood clot can form in the heart and travel to the intestines. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is caused by a narrowing of more than one of the intestinal arteries. Chronic mesenteric ischemia can become acute when a blood clot forms within the plaque buildup inside the mesenteric arteries and completely blocks it.
Cocaine and methamphetamine use can also lead to ischemia in some people. These substances cause your blood vessels to narrow. Previous blood vessel surgery is another possible cause of ischemia.
Surgery can create scar tissue that narrows the arteries. People who have had surgery on their blood vessels will be monitored to detect these occasional re-narrowings before they become dangerous. The acute form of the disease appears suddenly and has severe symptoms. For most people, blood clots cause acute ischemia. The chronic type of mesenteric artery ischemia has a more gradual onset.
Atherosclerosis is usually the cause of chronic ischemia. You may also have a sudden urge to have frequent bowel movements during an acute case of mesenteric artery ischemia. Blood in the stool is a common symptom. Stomach pain after eating is also a symptom of chronic ischemia. If you anticipate pain after every meal, you may start eating less, causing unintentional weight loss.
Your doctor will take your medical history and perform a physical exam to diagnose mesenteric artery ischemia. Imaging tools can confirm a narrowing of one or more mesenteric arteries. These tools include:. Acute arterial blockages in the intestines require immediate treatment to prevent tissue death. Usually, in the case of an acute ischemia attack, surgery removes blot clots, scar tissue, and parts of the intestines that have already died. Your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications to prevent future blood clots.
Angioplasty is another treatment option for narrowed arteries. A mesh tube called a stent is inserted into the narrowed artery to hold it open.
In cases of total blockage, sometimes the blocked artery is bypassed altogether. Surgery can treat chronic mesenteric artery ischemia if needed. Lifestyle adjustments may help reverse atherosclerosis naturally. These medications also play a role in treating mesenteric artery ischemia:. Most people with chronic mesenteric artery ischemia recover well with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Acute intestinal ischemia is more life threatening, as treatment can occur too late after intestinal tissue is already dead. A major artery of the abdomen, the superior mesenteric artery SMA is a primary source of blood from the heart for many organs of the midgut, all of which are associated with the digestive system. Via its branches, it supplies important parts of the small intestine , including the lower portion of the duodenum the first part of the gastrointestinal tract just past the stomach , the jejunum , and the ileum,while also delivering blood to the ascending colon , transverse colon, and pancreas.
Among the issues that can arise from the superior mesenteric artery are those related to decreased blood supply coming through the vessel. This can happen both suddenly acute mesenteric ischemia or progressively over time chronic mesenteric ischemia. Other times the artery itself can exert mechanical pressure on a portion of the small intestine called the duodenum.
This can lead to a range of dangerous symptoms, including sudden weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, and others. A non-paired artery, the SMA arises from the anterior forward-facing surface of the abdominal aorta as its second major branch at the level of the lower lumbar vertebrae L1. This takes it just behind the pylorus of the stomach the furthest part of the stomach connected to the duodenum , the neck of the pancreas, and splenic vein.
This being the case, the SMA runs to the front of the left renal vein which moves blood from the kidneys back to the heart. As with many parts of the circulatory system, a significant amount of people display variations in the anatomy of the SMA. As noted, the primary task of the SMA is to supply important parts of the gastrointestinal tract. A number of conditions and diseases can affect the SMA affecting its ability to deliver oxygenated blood, and the resulting complications can be dangerous and even deadly.
Similar is the case of nutcracker syndrome, in which the left renal vein between the aorta and the SMA, leading to increases in pressure in the left kidney. Another common problem is superior mesenteric artery syndrome SMAS , which occurs when the duodenum is compressed by the abdominal aorta and the SMA, leading to blockages there.
As with other cases, doctors will first attempt to address underlying causes of SMAS but opt for surgery in more advanced and difficult to treat patients.
Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sathi M, D'Souza D. Superior mesenteric artery. Shaikh H, Khorasani-Zadeh A. Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, superior mesenteric artery. Updated April 5, World J Emerg Surg. Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Renal nutcracker syndrome. Updated June 22, Anatomical variation of celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and hepatic artery: Evaluation with multidetector computed tomography angiography.
Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome.
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