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Treatment / Mesenteric Ischemia Treatment

Mesenteric Ischemia Treatment

Mesenteric ischemia is poor circulation in the vessels supplying blood flow to your mesenteric organs and usually occurs in people older than 60 years of age. Your mesenteric organs include your stomach, liver, colon and intestine. When you have decreased circulation, blockages can form and compromise the function of these organs.

Treatment options are based on whether the condition is considered sudden (acute) or chronic (ongoing). In chronic cases, minimally invasive endovascular treatment options have become the first-line approach.

Am I a Candidate for Endovascular Treatment?

When you come in to be treated for mesenteric ischemia, your doctor will talk to you about your medical history and perform diagnostic testing, which may include an ultrasound or computed tomography angiogram (CTA). The most appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the cause and extent of your artery blockage. Once it is determined that you are a good candidate for an endovascular procedure and not surgery, the next step would be to schedule treatment.

Candidates for endovascular treatment often present with the following symptoms:

  • Sudden, severe stomach pain with our without nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach pain that last for as long as 2 hours after eating
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence
  • Weight loss

The goal of treatment is to re-open the artery and allow adequate blood flow to your intestine before permanent damage is done.

What to Expect for the Procedure

When you come in for your procedure, you will either have local anesthesia with sedation, or general anesthesia – whatever you and your vascular and interventional radiologist (VIR) have discussed. Using image guidance the doctor will insert a long, flexible tube called a catheter that has a balloon on its tip and when inflated will open the narrowed vessel (angioplasty). In most cases, once the vessel has been re-opened the IR will place a small wire tube called a stent in your artery to keep it open.

Recovery

This treatment is minimally invasive and typically performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure lasts about an hour and most patients go home the same day. If a stent is placed ultrasounds are typically performed every 6 months to ensure long term patency.

As with any procedure complications can occur, with the endovascular approach there is a chance of bleeding, inflection, renal failure and possible need to convert to an open surgery.

Whether or not you are a candidate for endovascular angioplasty and stenting will depend on your diagnosis and consultation with your interventional radiologist. But if you suffer from mesenteric ischemia and are looking for a minimally invasive treatment option, an endovascular procedure may be the answer for you. Call IVC today at 503-612-0498 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

* This information about Mesenteric Ischemia Treatment was reviewed by Dr. Jason R. Bauer. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using the form below.

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We are announcing that Interventional and Vascular Consultants will be closing as of March 10, 2023.

We would like to thank you for the trust you have given us over the years, participating in your healthcare needs has been a privilege.

To assist in a smooth transition to a new provider, you may access your records from your MyHealth account or request a copy of medical records by clicking the link below and completing the Release of Information form.

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Please know that we have greatly valued our relationship with you and wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Jason Bauer, MD RVT
Michael Pfister, MD RVT

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