[Endovascular therapy of chronic mesenteric ischemia]

Arteriosclerosis is the most common cause of chronic mesenteric ischemia, which is characterized by postprandial pain, unintentional weight loss and food avoidance. The use of endovascular techniques for revascularization of chronic stenoses and occlusions of the mesenteric arteries has rapidly increased over the last 10 years. The results of endovascular therapy have shown less morbidity and mortality compared to open surgical procedures, such as bypass and thrombendarterectomy. Early publications have reported higher rates of restenosis, symptomatic recurrence and reinterventions but recent case series show comparable patency rates. This article reviews visceral arterial anatomy and anomalies and endovascular techniques for the revascularization of mesenteric arteries.