Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2025
Multimodality Diagnosis of Mesenteric Ischemia
Published on: July 21, 2023
Review of Mesenteric Ischemia in COVID-19 Patients
Amit Gupta1, Oshin Sharma1, Kandhala Srikanth1
1Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Level 6, Medical College Block, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand 249203 India.
Insights
COVID-19 infection can cause gastrointestinal issues, including acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). This condition, a blockage in the mesenteric artery, requires prompt evaluation and intervention to prevent mortality.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global health crisis with significant mortality.
- While primarily a respiratory illness, COVID-19 presents with diverse symptoms, including gastrointestinal manifestations.
- Thromboembolic events, such as acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), are increasingly recognized complications in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the available data on acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) in patients with COVID-19.
- To highlight the increasing prevalence of AMI as a cause of acute surgical abdomen in COVID-19 patients.
- To emphasize the importance of considering AMI in COVID-19 patients with unexplained abdominal pain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating COVID-19 and acute mesenteric ischemia.
- Analysis of reported cases and prevalence data of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients.
- Examination of clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies for AMI in the context of COVID-19.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), ranging from 9-25% in hospitalized patients and 21-31% in critically ill patients.
- Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is an emerging complication, presenting as a cause of acute surgical abdomen, particularly in ICU and ER settings.
- The exact mechanisms leading to AMI in COVID-19 are multifactorial, involving altered coagulation pathways.
Conclusions:
- Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a significant and potentially fatal complication of COVID-19 infection.
- Early recognition, diagnosis through appropriate imaging, and timely intervention (non-surgical or surgical) are crucial for improving outcomes in COVID-19 patients with AMI.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the pathophysiology and optimize management strategies for AMI in the context of COVID-19.
Abstract:
The new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019 has become a pandemic that has spread to nearly every country in the world. Through October 11, 2021, more than 23 billion confirmed cases and 4.8 million fatalities were reported globally. The bulk of individuals afflicted in India during the first wave were elderly persons. The second wave, however, resulted in more severe diseases and mortality in even younger age groups due to mutations in the wild virus. Symptoms may range from being asymptomatic to fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition to respiratory symptoms, patients may present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, loose stools, or mesenteric vein thrombosis. The frequency of patients presenting with thromboembolic symptoms has recently increased. According to certain studies, the prevalence of venous thromboembolism among hospitalized patients ranges from 9 to 25%. It was also shown that the incidence is significantly greater among critically sick patients, with a prevalence of 21-31%. Although the exact origin of thromboembolism is unknown, it is considered to be produced by several altered pathways that manifest as pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, limb gangrene, and acute mesenteric ischemia. Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is becoming an increasingly prevalent cause of acute surgical abdomen in both intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency room (ER) patients. Mesenteric ischemia should be evaluated in situations with unexplained stomach discomfort. In suspected situations, appropriate imaging techniques and early intervention, either non-surgical or surgical, are necessary to avert mortality. The purpose of this article is to look at the data on acute mesenteric ischemia in people infected with COVID-19.
More Related Videos
07:05Visualization of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Mesenteric Venules After Mesenteric Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Intravital Microscopy
Published on: September 27, 2024
04:57Author Spotlight: Advancing Spectral Characterization of Physiological and Malperfused Tissues
Published on: July 5, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:19Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
01:17Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and...
01:28Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
01:29Appendicitis-II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Diagnosing Appendicitis
It requires a multifaceted approach, starting with a detailed physical examination to pinpoint the location and nature of the pain and identify any associated symptoms. Laboratory tests play a crucial role. A complete Blood Count (CBC) typically reveals leukocytosis (an increased number of...
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
01:23Gastritis III: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical manifestations of acute gastritis
The patient with acute gastritis may have a rapid onset of symptoms, such as epigastric pain or discomfort, dyspepsia, anorexia, hiccups, or nausea and vomiting, which can last from a few hours to a few days. Erosive or hemorrhagic gastritis may cause bleeding, which may manifest as blood in vomit or as...