Ischemia of the intestine is the final result of interruption or reduction of blood perfusion in the intestine in question. Still, the clinical manifestations of intestinal ischemia vary from light chronic symptoms   to acute dramatic episodes, depending on the involved segment, the expansion of the occlusion or ischemia and the speed of development for the process.

The clinician needs to have knowledge on the spectrum of clinical manifestations. The intestine receives its arterial vascularization from branches in the celiac network and from the upper and lower mesenteric arteries. So there is a connection between ischemia of the intestine and mesenteric artery disease symptoms. The small intestine is irrigated by the celiac and upper mesenteric arteries. A wide network of vessels as well as the possible development of collateral circulation determine the clinical panel of acute or chronic intestinal arterial insufficiency.

Acute intestinal ischemia can be classified as occlusive or non-occlusive. The occlusion can result through thrombosis or arterial embolism of the mesenteric or celiac arteries, or through venous occlusion with the same distribution. Arterial embolism occurs mainly in patients with chronic or recurrent arterial fibrillation, valve prosthetics or illnesses of the valve. Arterial thrombosis is usually associated with excessive arteriosclerosis or with a low hart rate.

Venal occlusion is rare; it is occasionally encountered in women who take oral contraceptives. Some half of patients with mesenteric ischemia do not have definite occlusion of a main vessel, a situation called non-occlusive ischemia. The exact cause of this affliction is obscure; systemic arterial hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, prolonged cardiac insufficiency, digitalic treatment and dehydration can constitute some of the main factors involved in the development of the condition.

Mesenteric artery disease symptoms include severe abdominal pain, often colicative and periombilical in early stages, later becoming diffuse and constant. Throwing up, anorexia, diarrhea and constipation are also frequent symptoms when faced with this disease, but their diagnostic value is pretty low, since they are often encountered in other types of afflictions as well. An examination of the abdomen can indicate sensitivity and distension. Intestinal noises are often normal, even in the presence of severe heart attack.

Some patients have, during clinical examination, a surprisingly normal abdomen in contrast with the severe abdominal pain they are claiming. Light bleeding in the gastric intestinal area is often detected through the examination of the fecal matter, looking for occult bleeding. Massive hemorrhaging is unusual, except for the cases where the patient is suffering from ischemic colitis.

One typical laboratory element Is marked leucocytosis. Later in the evolution of the disease, after 24 to 72 hours, there is gangrene in the intestine, with diffuse peritonitis, sepsis and shock. A simple abdominal radiography in patients with mesenteric ischemia can point out distension. The radiological examination of the intestine using barium shows non-specific dilation, reduced motility and the presence of thick mucous cleavages, similar to finger prints. Acute mesenteric ischemia is a severe clinical affliction with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients suspected of acute arterial embolism need to be examined immediately through a celiac and mesenteric angiography to locate the embolus, followed by an embolectomy.