Acute mesenteric ischaemia: imaging and intervention

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Vascular Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a life-threatening abdominal emergency.
• High mortality rates persist despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements.
• Understanding aetiology and pathophysiology is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the aetiological classification, pathophysiology, and clinical features of AMI.
• To detail imaging characteristics and diagnostic roles for various AMI types.
• To evaluate current diagnostic and management strategies, including surgical and endovascular treatments.

Main Methods:

• Review of aetiological classification and pathophysiology of AMI.
• Detailed discussion of imaging characteristics and diagnostic modalities.
• Comparative analysis of surgical versus endovascular treatment evidence.

Main Results:

• Imaging plays a key role in diagnosing AMI and its subtypes.
• Surgery remains the primary treatment, but endovascular techniques are increasingly utilized.
• Endovascular approaches report high success rates, but patient selection bias and limited data necessitate caution.

Conclusions:

• AMI requires prompt diagnosis and management to improve outcomes.
• Endovascular treatments offer a viable alternative in selected AMI cases.
• Further research is needed to establish the definitive role and long-term efficacy of endovascular interventions in AMI.