Ischemic Bowel Disease Flashcards
What are the patterns of Ischemic Bowel Disease?
Small and/or large bowel
Diffuse or localized
Segmental or focal
Superficial or transmural
4 Main Causes of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia
SMA embolism (50%)
SMA thrombosis (15-25%)
Non-occlusive ischemia (20-30%)
Mesenteric venous thrombosis (5%)
How much cardiac output does the intestine take?
10-35%
Regulation of Intestinal Circulation
Perfusion pressure Neural & hormonal mechanisms Sympathetic nervous system Renin-angiotensis system Vasopressin
Activity of Vasopressin
Causes mesenteric arterial vasoconstriction & venous dilation
Reduces portal venous pressure in patients bleeding with portal HTN
Hallmarks of Clinical Presentation of Ischemic Bowel Disease
Severe, cramping abdominal pain
Pain out of proportion to physical findings
Poorly localized
May be able to hear bruits
Clinical Presentation as Ischemia Worsens
Abdominal distention Absent bowel sounds Peritoneal signs \+/- feculant odor to the breath N/V Frequent BM Occult blood in stool
Occlusive Clinical Syndromes
Mesenteric arterial embolism
Mesenteric arterial thrombosis
Mesenteric venous thrombosis
Non-occulusive Clinical Syndromes
Hypoperfusion
Risk Factors with Acute Mesenteric ARTERIAL Embolism
Advanced age CAD Cardiac valvular disease Hx of dysrhythmias Post-mycardial infarction mural thrombi Hx of thromboembolic disease Aortic surgery Aortography Coronary angiography Aortic dissection CHF
Epidemiology of Mesenteric ARTERIAL Embolism
Median age:70
SMA often involved
Near middle colic artery
Where is the thrombus for a mesenteric arterial embolism usually from?
Left atrium
Left ventricle
Cardiac valves
Which is more favorable, mesenteric arterial embolism or mesenteric arterial thrombosis?
Mesenteric arterial embolism
Usual Suspects for Mesenteric Arterial Thrombosis
Atherosclerotic disease
Traum
Infection
What is usually the site of blockage for a mesenteric arterial thrombosis?
Origin of SMA
Celiac axis
Epidemiology of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Usually ages 48-60
Primary: clot from somewhere else & ended up in the venous system
Secondary: DVT, strangulated hernia
Signs/Symptoms of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Diffuse pain Anorexia Vomiting Diarrhea Constipation Hematemesis
Risk Factors for Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Hyper coagulable state Portal HTN Abdominal infections Blunt abdominal trauma Pancreatitis Splenectomy Malignancy in portal region Personal or family Hx of DVT or PE Dehydration
Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis Pathophysiology
Decreased blood flow Bowel wall edema Fluid efflux into the bowel lumen Systemic hypotension Increase in blood viscosity Diminished arterial flow Submucosal hemorrhage Bowel infarction
What is non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia a result of?
Splanchnic hypoperfusion & vasoconstriction
Main Risk Factor for Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia
Atherosclerotic disease
Signs/Symptoms of Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia
Progressive abdominal pain
Bloating
N/V
Mental status change
Signs/Symptoms of Ischemia in the Colon
Mild abdominal pain
Tenderness
Rectal bleeding
Bloody diarrhea
What is the procedure of choice to determine if ischemia is in the colon?
Colonoscopy
Etiologies of Arterial Emboli
A. fib
MI
Etiology of Arterial Thrombosis
Atherosclerotic disease
Etiologies of Venous Thrombosis
Underlying disorder in coagulation
Neoplasm
Etiology of Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia
Low flow states
Work Up of Acute Ischemia
Labs
Imaging: plain abdominal x-rays, abdominal CT
Lab Results for Acute Ischemia
Increased WBCs, hematocrit, amylase, phosphate, & serum lactate
Metabolic acidosis
Findings on Plain Films for Acute Ischemia
Pneumatosis intestinalis Portal venous gas Thickened bowel wall with thumb-printing Air-fluid levels Dilated bowel loops Gasless abdomen
Define Pneumoatosis Intestinalis
Gas cysts in the bowel WALL which is suggestive of necrotizing enterocolitis
Define Portal Venous Gas
Accumulation of gas in the portal vein & it’s branches
What views do you want for plain films in an acute bowel?
Upright & supine
What is the preferred imaging study for an acute bowel?
CT
What kind of contrast do you need for an abdominal CT looking for acute bowel ischemia?
Oral
IV
CTA: just IV
CT Findings in Acute Ischemia
Bowel wall thickening Bowel dilation Fat stranding Ascites Varying degrees of attenuation Pneumatosis & portomesenteric gas
Define Fat Stranding
Caused by fluid & inflammation that has gone out into the fat
What study is better at diagnosing venous occlusions, CTA or MRA?
MRA
Indications for Mesenteric Percutaneous Ateriography
Diagnosis in doubt after non-invasive measures
Diagnosis fairly certain & need consideration for percutaneous treatment or surgical planning
Contraindication for Mesenteric Percutaneous Arteriography
Venous occlusion
Treatment of Acute Bowel Ischemia in General
Hemodynamic monitoring & support Correction of metabolic acidosis Broad spectrum antibiotics NG tube for gastric decompression Vasopressors with less effect on bowel perfusion: dobutamine, low dose dopamine, milrinone Anticoagulation Correction of arrhythmias Imaging
What is the gold standard diagnostic study for acute arterial ischemia?
Mesenteric Angiography
Treatment for Mesenteric Arterial Embolism
Surgery & embolectomy
Local infusion of thrombolytic therapy
Treatment for Mesenteric Arterial Thrombosis
Surgery with thrombectomy & revascularization or heparinization
Treatment for Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Heparinization + resection of infarcted bowel
Treatment for Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia
Papaverine infusion during angiography
Reverse underlying conditions
Repeat angiography in 24 hours
Surgical exploration in patients with peritoneal signs
Care for Ischemic Bowel Disease Patients
Cardiac monitor Venous access Oxygen Fluid resuscitation Broad-spectrum antibiotics Surgery
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia
Intestinal angina
Episodic or constant intestinal hypoperfusion
Secondary to atherosclerosis
Strongly associated with meals