Small intestinal ischemia and infarction
Intestinal 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 or veins 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.
Hernia
A 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.
Adhesions
Adhesions are bands of scar-like tissue that form between two surfaces inside the body and cause them to stick together.
Read 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 heart arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are at risk for this problem.
Blood clots
Blood 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleArrhythmias
An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm. The heart can beat too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregul...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleAtrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) and atrial flutter are common types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) which affect the upper chambers (atria) of the...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Narrowing of the arteries -- The arteries that supply blood to the intestine 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) count
A 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSome tests to detect the extent of damage include:
- Increased acid in the bloodstream (lactic acidosis)
- Angiogram
Angiogram
Mesenteric 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - CT scan of the abdomen
CT scan
A 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Doppler ultrasound of the abdomen
Doppler ultrasound
A duplex ultrasound is a test to see how blood moves through your arteries and veins.
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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 jejunostomy or ileostomy is needed. The blockage of arteries to the intestine is corrected, if possible.
Ileostomy
An 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOutlook (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 jejunostomy 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.
Peritonitis
Peritonitis 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...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleSome people may become severely ill with fever and a bloodstream infection (sepsis).
Sepsis
Sepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleWhen 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 hernias
References
Cameron J. Vascular surgery. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 16.
Feuerstadt 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.
Kahi CJ. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 129.
Roline CE, Reardon RF. Small intestine. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 78.
Mesenteric 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 infarction
illustration
Digestive 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 system
illustration
Small 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 intestine
illustration
Mesenteric 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 infarction
illustration
Digestive 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 system
illustration
Small 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 intestine
illustration
Review Date: 3/31/2024
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.