Intestinal ischaemia

Question 1

What is intestinal ischaemia?

Answer 1

Intestinal ischemia occurs when the blood flow through the major arteries that supply blood to your intestines slows or stops.

Question 2

What are the risk factors of intestinal ischaemia?

Answer 2

Old age
Smoking
Hypercoagulability
AF

Question 3

What is the epidemiology of intestinal ischaemia?

Answer 3

Acute mesenteric ischaemia accounts for approximately 0.1% of hospital admissions

Older people are more likley to get it

Question 4

What are the signs and symptoms of intestintal ischaemia?

Answer 4

Pain
Cramps postprandially
Weight loss
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Bloating
Abdominal tenderness
Confusion

Question 5

What investigations do you request for intestinal ischaemia?

Answer 5

Bloods
> FBC (anaemia)
> Chemistry panel with serum lactate (raised)
> Coagulation panel (prothrombotic disorder)

> ABG for lactate

> ECG
CXR
CT
Colonoscopy