[ACUTE MESENTERIC ISCHEMIA]

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• A 61-year-old male with a history of complex cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease presented with an anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
• Catheterization revealed severe multi-vessel coronary artery occlusions, necessitating percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and subsequent urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Observation:

• The patient developed acute abdominal pain on postoperative day one.
• Computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis, indicating acute mesenteric ischemia.

Findings:

• The patient required emergent surgical intervention, including bowel resection and thrombectomy, to manage the SMA thrombosis and intestinal ischemia.
• This case highlights a rare but serious postoperative complication following cardiac surgery.

Implications:

• Early recognition and management of SMA thrombosis are crucial for improving outcomes in patients with complex cardiovascular conditions.
• This case underscores the importance of considering vascular complications in the differential diagnosis of postoperative abdominal pain in high-risk patients.
• Further research into risk factors and preventative strategies for SMA thrombosis post-cardiac procedures may be warranted.