Endovascular and open surgery for acute occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery

Acute thromboembolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is associated with high mortality. Recent advances in diagnostics and surgical techniques may affect outcome.

Through the Swedish Vascular Registry (Swedvasc), 121 open and 42 endovascular revascularizations of the SMA at 28 hospitals during 1999 to 2006 were identified. Patient medical records were retrieved, and survival was analyzed with multivariate Cox-regression analysis.

The number of revascularizations of the SMA increased over time with 41 operations in 2006, compared to 10 in 1999. Endovascular approach increased sixfold by 2006 as compared to 1999. The endovascular group had thrombotic occlusion (P < .001) and history of abdominal angina (P = .042) more often, the open group had atrial fibrillation more frequently (P = .031). All the patients in the endovascular group, but only 34% after open surgery, underwent completion control of the vascular reconstruction (P < .001). Bowel resection (P < .001) and short bowel syndrome (SBS; P = .009) occurred more frequently in the open group. SBS (hazard ratio [HR], 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-5.0) and age (HR, 1.03/year; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06) were independently associated with increased long-term mortality. Thirty-day and 1-year mortality rates were 42% vs 28% (P = .03) and 58% vs 39% (P = .02), for open and endovascular surgery, respectively. Long-term survival after endovascular treatment was better than after open surgery (log-rank, P = .02).

The results after endovascular and open surgical revascularization of acute SMA occlusion were favorable, in particular among the endovascularly treated patients. Group differences need to be confirmed in a randomized trial.