eCureMe logo
  eCureMe home eCureMe log In Sign Up!
eCureMe Life : Your Healthy Living. Click Here!
Welcome, eCureMe.com medical contents search April 25, 2013
       eCureMe Life
       Medical Supplies
       Calorie Count
       Self-Diagnosis
       Physician Search
       Message Board
      E-mail Doctor
      E-mail Veterinarian
      Self-Diagnosis
      Health-O-Matic Meter
      Calorie Count
      Natural Medicine
      Vitamins & Minerals
      Alternative Living
      My Health Chart
      Diseases & Treatments
      Atlas of Diseases
      Sexually Transmitted
      Diseases
      Drug Information
      Illegal Drugs
      Lab & Diagnostic Tests
      Internal Medicine
      Women’s Health
      Pediatrics
      Eye Disorders
      Skin Disorders
      Headache
      Mental Health
      Radiology
      Neurology
      Allergy
      Resource Links
      Physician Directory
      Dentist Directory
      Hospital Directory





Acute Intestinal Ischemia

more about Acute Intestinal Ischemia


Intestinal ischemia

  • The superior mesenteric artery, a large vessel that branches off the aorta, supplies part of the intestine with blood.  When a blood clot lodges in this artery or its branches, it cuts of the blood supply to part of the intestine.  This is known as intestinal ischemia. When this occurs, the intestine may infarct (die).

  • Crampy or steady upper abdominal pain

  • Embolic -- blood clots are thrown from the heart due to heart valve disease or atrial fibrillation
  • Thrombosis -- blood clots form in the blood vessels
  • Vascular insufficiency -- insufficient blood is being pumped to the arteries of the intestine.  This can occur in patients with Congestive Heart Failure recently started on Digoxin.

  • Classically, pain is out of proportion to the exam
  • Low Blood Pressure may be present
  • Laboratory:
    1. Elevated white blood cell count
    2. Arterial Lactic acid level may be elevated
    3. Angiography -- dye injected and X-Rays taken to determine area of embolism

  • Broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics to cover bowel flora, e.g., Ampicilin/Gentamicin/Flagyl
  • Optimize blood pressure and blood oxygenation
  • Surgical removal of necrotic (dead) bowel

  • This is a life-threatening illness and immediate emergency medical treatment is needed.





more about Acute Intestinal Ischemia


If you want your friend to read or know about this article, Click here






medical contents search

Home   |   About Us   |   Contact Us   |   Employment Ad   |   Help

Terms and Conditions under which this service is provided to you. Read our Privacy Policy.
Copyright © 2002 - 2003 eCureMe, Inc All right reserved.