[2] Chronic Mesenteric Ischaemia Flashcards

1
Q

What is chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

A lack of blood supply to the bowel which gradually deteriorates over time as a result of atherosclerosis in the coeliac trunk, superior mesenteric artery, and/or inferior mesenteric artery

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2
Q

What is the pathophysiology of the development of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

The gradual buildup of atherosclerotic plaque causes the narrowing of the blood vessel lumen, reducing blood flow and resulting in ischaemia of the bowel

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3
Q

What is the result of the degree of communication within the visceral blood supply in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

In the majority of circumstances, at least 2 of the CT, SMA, and IMA must be affected

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4
Q

What causes symptom onset in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

When there is increased demand on the blood supply or reduction in blood supply in patients with chronic mesenteric ischaemia a transient ischaemia of the bowel occurs, resulting in symptom onset

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5
Q

What can cause an increased demand on the blood supply to the gut?

A

Eating

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6
Q

What can cause a reduction in blood supply to the gut?

A

Hypovolaemic states

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7
Q

Who does chronic mesenteric ischaemia mostly occur in?

A

Patients >60 yrs

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8
Q

Which gender does chronic mesenteric ischaemia more commonly occur in?

A

Females

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9
Q

Why is chronic mesenteric ischaemia typically under-reported?

A

Because patients with atherosclerotic disease in the mesenteric vessels are often asymptomatic

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10
Q

What is the prevalence of atherosclerotic involvement in the mesenteric vessels?

A

Between 30-50%

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11
Q

What are the main risk factors for chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Smoking
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Hypercholesterolaemia
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12
Q

What are the classical symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Post-prandial pain
  • Weight loss
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13
Q

When does postprandial pain occur in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

Typically around 10mins - 4 hours after eating

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14
Q

What may postprandial pain be associated with?

A

Fear of eating (sitophobia), as eating becomes linked to pain

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15
Q

Why can chronic mesenteric ischaemia lead to weight loss?

A

A combination of decreased calorie intake and malabsorption

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16
Q

What concurrent vascular co-morbidites may be present with chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Previous MI
  • Previous stroke
  • PVD
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17
Q

What are the less specific symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Change in bowel habit (typically loose)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
18
Q

What are the examination findings in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

Often non-specific, including;

  • Evidence of malnutrition/cachexia
  • Generalised abdominal tenderness
  • Abdominal bruits
19
Q

What are the differentials for chronic, non-specfiic abdominal pain?

A
  • Chronic pancreatitis
  • Gallstone pathology
  • Peptic ulcer disease
  • Upper GI malignancy
20
Q

What investigations are done in suspected chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Routine bloods, including FBC, U&Es, and LFTs
  • CT angiography
21
Q

What may be found on routine bloods in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

They will usually be normal

Cardiovascular risk profile (lipids, glucose) may be abnormal

22
Q

Why is CT angiography useful in the investigation of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A
  • Provides good anatomical view of all vessels
  • Can help gauge any intervention required
23
Q

What used to be the gold standard of imaging in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

Catheter angiography, but now used less due to the improvement of CT angiography

24
Q

Who decides on the management plans for chronic mesenteric ischaemia?

A

Typically made jointly between interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons

25
What is involved in the best medical therapy of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
* Antiplatelet agent * Statin * Advice promoting weight loss, increasing exercise, and smoking cessation
26
What effect will stabilising the atherosclerotic plaque have in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
It will prevent subsequent worsening of the disease
27
When is surgical intervention warranted in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
* Severe disease * Progressive disease * Presence of debilitating symptoms, including weight loss or malabsorption
28
What will the ultimate decision about which surgical approach to take in chronic mesenteric ischaemia depend on?
* Location and severity of disease * Patient factors * Co-morbidities
29
What are the options for surgical management of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
* Endovascular procedures * Open procedures
30
What is the more common surgical management technique in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
Endovascular procedures
31
What do endovascular procedures consist of in chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
Mesenteric angioplasty and stenting
32
What do open procedures in chronic mesenteric ischaemia involve?
Endartectomy or bypass procedure
33
How is mesenteric angioplasty performed?
Typically percutaneously, through either the femoral artery or brachial/axillary artery, allowing a catheter to be passed to the appropriate vessel under radiological guidance. A small balloon is expanded to dilate the vessel, with any stent deployed if required
34
What is the advantage of mesenteric angioplasty compared to other techniques?
It provides a shorter hospital stay with faster mobilisation for the patient
35
What are the main complications of endovascular intervention?
* Haematoma at the arterial punch site * Risk of embolisation * Vessel perforation
36
What are the main complications of chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
* Bowel infarction with necrosis * Malabsorption
37
What is an important consideration when patients present with chronic mesenteric ischaemia?
They will likely have concurrent cardiovascular disease, which will also require suitable medical management and optimisation
38
What is the prognosis of chronic mesenteric ischaemia after intervention?
Good
39
How does the prognosis of chronic mesenteric ischaemia differ between open surgery and endovascular methods?
Comparable results in terms of relief of symptoms
40