Mesenteric Ischemia

Treatment for Swelling of Arms and Legs

What is mesenteric ischemia?
Decreased blood flow to the small intestines caused by blockage of the arteries: types, causes, symptoms, and risks of mesenteric ischemia.

Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Identification of underlying condition.

Mesenteric Ischemia Treatment and Surgery
Treatment methods include bypass surgery and arterial stenting.

Why choose NYU?
Largest team of leading-edge vascular surgeons in New York City who treat mesenteric ischemia. Academic medical experts committed to research and clinical trials to improve treatment.

NYU Mesenteric Ischemia Doctors
Vascular specialists at New York University who treat patients with mesenteric ischemia.

What is mesenteric ischemia?

Mesenteric ischemia occurs when the mesenteric arteries (arteries that supply the small and large intestines) become too narrow or blocked to feed adequate amounts of oxygenated blood to the intestines.

Mesenteric ischemia can be chronic or acute.

Patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia have had symptoms over a long period of time. Chronic mesenteric ischemia can progress to acute, often very suddenly and without warning.
Patients with acute mesenteric ischemia have symptoms that develop abruptly and progress rapidly.

Causes of Mesenteric Ischemia

Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries) often causes chronic mesenteric ischemia.
An embolus (blood clot) that travels to the mesenteric arteries, cutting off the blood supply, can cause acute mesenteric ischemia.

Symptoms of Mesenteric Ischemia

Symptoms include:

Sudden, severe abdominal pain after eating
Weight loss
Digestive problems including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, or constipation

Mesenteric Ischemia Risks
Decreased oxygen can result in death of the intestinal tissue.

More information about mesenteric ischemia is available on the Society for Vascular Surgery website.

Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia

How is mesenteric ischemia diagnosed?
Diagnosis begins with a physical exam and patient interview with questions about general health, medical history, and symptoms.

The physician may also order tests, including imaging of the blood vessels that supply the intestines:

CT (computed tomography) scan, also known as a "cat scan", or non-invasive imaging study involving small amounts of radiation exposure. A CT scan enables doctors to view what is going on in the inside of the body from the outside.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), a machine that produces a detailed picture of the veins and arteries

Each of these diagnostic tests is performed on site at NYU Medical Center.

Mesenteric Ischemia Treatment and Surgery

Vascular surgeons at NYU design individualized treatment based on each patient’s general health, medical history, and particular needs.

Treatment methods for mesenteric ischemia include:

placement of stent-grafts in the arteries to improve circulation to the intestines
arterial bypass surgery to increase blood flow

Why choose NYU?

NYU Medical Center’s vascular surgeons work with each patient to critically evaluate his or her unique needs to produce the best individualized treatment plan.

NYU Division of Vascular Surgery offers the largest team of top-level vascular specialists in New York City (see below: "NYU Mesenteric Ischemia Doctors"). Members of a leading academic medical center, NYU’s vascular surgeons are committed to finding the most advanced, innovative, proven methods to treat mesenteric ischemia.

Each of NYU’s vascular surgeons is a faculty member working to translate internationally prominent clinical and academic research into new, promising treatment methods and better medical care. Clinical trials and leading-edge research at NYU evaluate promising new techniques to treat mesenteric ischemia. NYU’s physicians participate in scientific review boards, provide high-quality medical care for participating patients, and assist the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in evaluating new treatment methods for FDA approval.

Our Mesenteric Ischemia Specialists

NYU Langone Medical Center
550 First Avenue
New York, NY 10016
1-877-4-NYUCVI (698284)

Mark A. Adelman, M.D.
Chief of Vascular Surgery

Neal Cayne, M.D.
Director of the NYU Endovascular Surgery Program

Glenn R. Jacobowitz, M.D.
Vice Chief of the NYU Division of Vascular Surgery / Director of Vascular Surgical Services at Tisch Hospital

Lowell S. Kabnick, M.D.
Director of the NYU Vein Center

Patrick J. Lamparello, M.D.
Vice-Chair of Vascular Surgery / Director of the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program

Thomas Maldonado, M.D.
Chief of Vascular Surgery, Bellevue Hospital

Firas F. Mussa, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery at the NYU School of Medicine

Thomas S. Riles. M.D.
Associate Dean for Medical Education and Technology / Frank C. Spencer Professor of Surgery

Caron Rockman, M.D.
Director of Medical Education and the Director of Clinical Research for the NYU Division of Vascular Surgery

Frank J. Veith, M.D.
The First U.S. Surgeon to Perform an Endovascular Aneurysm Repair