BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSmall intestinal ischemia and infarctionIntestinal necrosis; Ischemic bowel - small intestine; Dead bowel - small intestine; Dead gut - small intestine; Infarcted bowel - small intestine; Atherosclerosis - small intestine; Hardening of the arteries - small intestineIntestinal ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the arteries that supply the small intestine. Causes There are several possible causes of intestinal ischemia and infarction.Hernia -- If the intestine moves into the wrong place or becomes tangled, it can cut off the blood flow. HerniaA lump in the abdomen is a small area of swelling or bulge of tissue in the belly.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Adhesions -- The intestine may become trapped in scar tissue (adhesions) from past surgery. This can lead to loss of blood flow if left untreated. AdhesionsAdhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Embolus -- Blood clots can block one of the arteries supplying the intestine. People who have had a heart attack or who have arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are at risk for this problem. Blood clotsBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ArrhythmiasAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation (Afib) and atrial flutter are common types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) which affect the upper chambers (atria) of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Narrowing of the arteries -- The arteries that supply blood to the bowel may become narrowed or blocked from cholesterol buildup. When this happens in the arteries to the heart, it causes a heart attack. When it happens in the arteries to the intestine, it causes intestinal ischemia. Narrowing of the veins -- The veins carrying blood away from the intestine may become blocked by blood clots. This blocks blood flow in the intestine. This is more common in people with liver disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorders. Low blood pressure -- Very low blood pressure in people who already have narrowing of the intestinal arteries may also cause loss of blood flow to the intestine. This often occurs in people with other serious medical problems. Symptoms The main symptom of intestinal ischemia is pain in abdomen. The pain is severe, even though the area is not very tender when touched. Other symptoms include:Diarrhea Fever Vomiting Blood in the stool Exams and Tests Laboratory tests may show a high white blood cell (WBC) count (a marker of infection). There may be bleeding in the GI tract. White blood cell (WBC) countA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some tests to detect the extent of damage include:Increased acid in the bloodstream (lactic acidosis) Angiogram AngiogramMesenteric angiography is a test used to look at the blood vessels that supply the small and large intestines. Angiography is an imaging test that us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the abdomen CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Doppler ultrasound of the abdomen Doppler ultrasoundA duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article These tests do not always detect the problem. Sometimes, the only way to detect intestinal ischemia is with a surgical procedure. Treatment In most cases, the condition needs to be treated with surgery. The section of intestine that has died is removed. The healthy remaining ends of the bowel are reconnected.In some cases, a colostomy or ileostomy is needed. The blockage of arteries to the intestine is corrected, if possible.ColostomyColostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. Stools movin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article IleostomyAn ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body. This surgery is done when the colon or rectum is not working properly. The word "ileostomy" come...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Damage or death of the bowel tissue is a serious condition. This can result in death if not treated right away. The outlook depends on the cause. Prompt treatment can lead to a good outcome. Possible Complications Damage or death of the bowel tissue may require a colostomy or ileostomy. This may be short-term or permanent. Peritonitis is common in these cases. People who have a large amount of tissue death in the intestine can have problems absorbing nutrients. They can become dependent on getting nutrition through their veins. PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some people may become severely ill with fever and a bloodstream infection (sepsis).SepsisSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have any severe abdominal pain. Prevention Preventive measures include:Controlling risk factors, such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol Not smoking Eating a nutritious diet Quickly treating herniasOpen ReferencesReferencesFeuerstadt P, Brandt LJ. Intestinal ischemia. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 118.Holscher CM, Reifsnyder T. Acute mesenteric ischemia. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:1057-1061.Kahi CJ. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 134.Roline CE, Reardon RF. Disorders of the small intestine. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 82.AllVideoImagesTogMesenteric artery ischemia and infarction - illustration Mesenteric artery ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more branches of the major arteries that supply the small and large intestines, called the mesenteric arteries. Narrowing of the arteries occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries (atherosclerosis). This narrowing reduces the blood flow and oxygen supply to a segment of the intestine, causing damage (ischemia). A complete blockage may also occur when a blood clot obstructs all blood flow through the artery, causing tissue death of that segment of intestine (infarction).Mesenteric artery ischemia and infarctionillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationSmall intestine - illustration The small intestine is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream. The pyloric sphincter governs the passage of partly digested food from the stomach into the duodenum. This short first portion of the small intestine is followed by the jejunum and the ileum. The ileocecal valve of the ileum passes digested material into the large intestine.Small intestineillustrationMesenteric artery ischemia and infarction - illustration Mesenteric artery ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more branches of the major arteries that supply the small and large intestines, called the mesenteric arteries. Narrowing of the arteries occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries (atherosclerosis). This narrowing reduces the blood flow and oxygen supply to a segment of the intestine, causing damage (ischemia). A complete blockage may also occur when a blood clot obstructs all blood flow through the artery, causing tissue death of that segment of intestine (infarction).Mesenteric artery ischemia and infarctionillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationSmall intestine - illustration The small intestine is the portion of the digestive system most responsible for absorption of nutrients from food into the bloodstream. The pyloric sphincter governs the passage of partly digested food from the stomach into the duodenum. This short first portion of the small intestine is followed by the jejunum and the ileum. The ileocecal valve of the ileum passes digested material into the large intestine.Small intestineillustrationRelated Information Adhesion(Condition)Blood clots(Condition)Atherosclerosis(Condition)Peritonitis(Condition)Sepsis(Condition) Review Date: 2/7/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Small intestinal ischemia and infarctionIntestinal necrosis; Ischemic bowel - small intestine; Dead bowel - small intestine; Dead gut - small intestine; Infarcted bowel - small intestine; Atherosclerosis - small intestine; Hardening of the arteries - small intestineIntestinal ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the arteries that supply the small intestine. Causes There are several possible causes of intestinal ischemia and infarction.Hernia -- If the intestine moves into the wrong place or becomes tangled, it can cut off the blood flow. HerniaA lump in the abdomen is a small area of swelling or bulge of tissue in the belly.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Adhesions -- The intestine may become trapped in scar tissue (adhesions) from past surgery. This can lead to loss of blood flow if left untreated. AdhesionsAdhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Embolus -- Blood clots can block one of the arteries supplying the intestine. People who have had a heart attack or who have arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are at risk for this problem. Blood clotsBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article ArrhythmiasAn arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Atrial fibrillationAtrial fibrillation (Afib) and atrial flutter are common types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) which affect the upper chambers (atria) of the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Narrowing of the arteries -- The arteries that supply blood to the bowel may become narrowed or blocked from cholesterol buildup. When this happens in the arteries to the heart, it causes a heart attack. When it happens in the arteries to the intestine, it causes intestinal ischemia. Narrowing of the veins -- The veins carrying blood away from the intestine may become blocked by blood clots. This blocks blood flow in the intestine. This is more common in people with liver disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorders. Low blood pressure -- Very low blood pressure in people who already have narrowing of the intestinal arteries may also cause loss of blood flow to the intestine. This often occurs in people with other serious medical problems. Symptoms The main symptom of intestinal ischemia is pain in abdomen. The pain is severe, even though the area is not very tender when touched. Other symptoms include:Diarrhea Fever Vomiting Blood in the stool Exams and Tests Laboratory tests may show a high white blood cell (WBC) count (a marker of infection). There may be bleeding in the GI tract. White blood cell (WBC) countA WBC count is a blood test to measure the number of white blood cells (WBCs) in the blood. It is a part of a complete blood count (CBC). WBCs are a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some tests to detect the extent of damage include:Increased acid in the bloodstream (lactic acidosis) Angiogram AngiogramMesenteric angiography is a test used to look at the blood vessels that supply the small and large intestines. Angiography is an imaging test that us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the abdomen CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Doppler ultrasound of the abdomen Doppler ultrasoundA duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article These tests do not always detect the problem. Sometimes, the only way to detect intestinal ischemia is with a surgical procedure. Treatment In most cases, the condition needs to be treated with surgery. The section of intestine that has died is removed. The healthy remaining ends of the bowel are reconnected.In some cases, a colostomy or ileostomy is needed. The blockage of arteries to the intestine is corrected, if possible.ColostomyColostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. Stools movin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article IleostomyAn ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body. This surgery is done when the colon or rectum is not working properly. The word "ileostomy" come...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Damage or death of the bowel tissue is a serious condition. This can result in death if not treated right away. The outlook depends on the cause. Prompt treatment can lead to a good outcome. Possible Complications Damage or death of the bowel tissue may require a colostomy or ileostomy. This may be short-term or permanent. Peritonitis is common in these cases. People who have a large amount of tissue death in the intestine can have problems absorbing nutrients. They can become dependent on getting nutrition through their veins. PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some people may become severely ill with fever and a bloodstream infection (sepsis).SepsisSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have any severe abdominal pain. Prevention Preventive measures include:Controlling risk factors, such as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol Not smoking Eating a nutritious diet Quickly treating herniasOpen ReferencesReferencesFeuerstadt P, Brandt LJ. Intestinal ischemia. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 118.Holscher CM, Reifsnyder T. Acute mesenteric ischemia. In: Cameron JL, Cameron AM, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:1057-1061.Kahi CJ. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 134.Roline CE, Reardon RF. Disorders of the small intestine. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 82.