Intestinal ischaemia Flashcards
Ischaemia is anything that reduces blood flow to a tissue, such as arterial vasospasm, arterial or venous occlusion. Is intestinal ischaemia acute or chronic?
- both
- can affect anywhere in the GIT
Which of the following is not a common risk factor for intestinal ischaemia?
1 - atrial fibrillation
2 - heart failure
3 - kidney failure
4 - alcohol
5 - prothrombotic condition
6 - age
7 - smoking
4 - alcohol
Acute ischaemia is a sudden restriction in blood to the GIT. How can an embolic event cause acute ischaemia?
1 - air bubble blocking a blood vessel in the GIT
2 - foreign body bubble blocking a blood vessel in the GIT
3 - blood clot bubble blocking a blood vessel in the GIT
4 - all of the above
4 - all of the above
Acute ischaemia is a sudden restriction in blood to the GIT. Which of the following does not generally cause acute ischaemia?
1 - embolic event
2 - thrombotic event
3 - hypertension
4 - volvulus of vessel
3 - hypertension
- younger patients with cardiac issues are more likely to have venous ischaemia
Although the symptoms of acute ischaemia are broad, which one of the following is the best indicator of acute ischaemia?
1 - nausea/vomiting
2 - abdominal pain out of proportion with clinical findings
3 - post-rectal bleeding
4 - acidaemia
2 - abdominal pain out of proportion with clinical findings
- especially if atrial fibrillation is present
If we suspect a patient has small bowel ischaemia we can run an ABG. What 3 markers would we expect to see changed in an ABG that would point to an acute ischaemia?
1 - raised Hb
2 - raised WBC
3 - increased lactate
4 - reduced pH
5 - increased pH
6 - high HCO3-
2 - raised WBC
3 - increased lactate
4 - reduced pH
If we suspect small bowel ischaemia we can use imaging. What might we see on an X-ray that is relevant to an acute ischaemia?
1 - dilated bowels and obstruction
2 - blocked blood vessels
3 - necrotic tissue
4 - GIT perforation
1 - dilated bowels and obstruction
- may explain the underlying pathophysiology
If we suspect small bowel ischaemia we can use imaging. What imaging is best to image a patient with suspected acute ischaemia?
1 - ultrasound
2 - X-ray
3 - MRI with contrast
4 - CT scan with contrast
4 - CT scan with contrast
- contrast must include arterial and venous phase contrast
If we suspect small bowel ischaemia we can use imaging. CT with contrast including arterial and venous phase contrast is best. Is the specificity equally good for small and large intestine?
- no
- better for small intestines
If we suspect a patient has small bowel ischaemia, what are the 2 conservative approaches that are arguably the most important from below that should be implemented?
1 - antibiotics
2 - IV fluids
3 - analgesia
4 - NG tube for decompression
5 - IV glucose
2 - IV fluids
4 - NG tube for decompression
If we suspect a patient has small bowel ischaemia and gangrene is present, what treatment should be implemented?
1 - surgical resection of gangrene tissue
2 - IV antibiotics
3 - oral antibiotics with IV fluids
4 - analgesia, IV antibiotics and fluids
1 - surgical resection of gangrene tissue
- the others may happen, but removing gangrene tissue is most important
If we suspect a patient has small bowel ischaemia and gangrene is not present, what treatment should be implemented?
1 - surgery and resection of suspected ischaemic tissue
2 - IV fluids and NG tube for decompression
3 - heparinisation and/or thrombolysis
4 - analgesia, IV antibiotics and fluids
3 - heparinisation and/or thrombolysis
- they others may also be used, but this is the most important
- regardless of treatment the mortality is high
Ischemic colitis occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine is temporarily reduced, meaning the metabolic demands of the colon are not met. This segment of the large intestine is called the colon. What is the incidence of this?
1 - 3/100,000
2 - 30/100,000
3 - 300/100,000
4 - 3000/100,000
2 - 30/100,000
Ischemic colitis occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine is temporarily reduced, meaning the metabolic demands of the colon are not met. What can this cause?
1 - mucosal ulceration, inflammation, haemorrhage
2 - mucosal ulceration, inflammation, granuloma
3 - mucosal ulceration, polyps, haemorrhage
4 - granuloma, inflammation, haemorrhage
1 - mucosal ulceration, inflammation, haemorrhage
- bleeding not always present, especially if ischaemia is severe
Which of the following is NOT a cause of acute ischemic colitis?
1 - heart failure
2 - atherosclerotic disease
3 - atrial fibrillation
4 - acute thrombosis
5 - medications (chemotherapy, NSAIDs, vasopressors)
6 - CKD
7 - previous aortic abdominal aneurysm
6 - CKD
Acute ischemic colitis can present in a variety of ways. What type of pain is generally present?
1 - generalised stabbing pain
2 - colicky abdominal pain
3 - isolated visceral pain in the flanks
4 - distended and generalised tenderness
2 - colicky abdominal pain
Why might we see diarrhoea and post rectal bleeding in a patient with suspected acute ischemic colitis?
1 - ulcers form causing blood with lack of fluid reabsorption
2 - epithelial is shedded causing blood and diarrhoea
3 - tissue becomes gangrene causing bleeding
4 - blood vessels become fragile and rupture
1 - ulcers form causing blood with lack of fluid reabsorption
- colon is inflamed and cannot function properly, so we get diarrhoea
- blood comes from ulcer formation
Which of the following is NOT a typical differential for someone with suspected acute ischemic colitis?
1 - IBD
2 - infective colitis
3 - diverticulitis
4 - volvulus
4 - volvulus