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Intestinal ischemia after a single intravenous injection of deslanoside. A case report
Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica
|January 1, 1984
Insights
Digitalis, a heart medication, may significantly decrease blood flow to the intestines. This case report provides direct evidence linking heart glycosides to intestinal ischemia in humans.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Nonocclusive intestinal ischemia is linked to heart disease and digitalis treatment.
- Animal studies and indirect human data suggest digitalis reduces splanchnic blood flow.
Observation:
- A patient developed severe intestinal ischemia during surgery.
- This ischemia occurred after the administration of intravenous digitalis.
Findings:
- This case provides the first direct clinical evidence that heart glycosides (digitalis) can cause intestinal ischemia in humans.
- Digitalis administration was temporally associated with profound splanchnic hypoperfusion and subsequent intestinal ischemia.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider the potential for digitalis-induced splanchnic vasoconstriction in patients presenting with intestinal ischemia.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and clinical significance of this adverse effect.
Abstract:
Nonocclusive intestinal ischemia is closely associated with heart disease and digitalization. Animal experiments and indirect evidence in man suggest that digitalis significantly decrease splanchnic blood flow. A case is described where peroperative intravenous digitalis caused profound intestinal ischemia. The report constitutes the first direct observation relating heart glycosides with intestinal ischemia in man.