Nonocclusive intestinal ischemia treated with intraarterial infusion of prostaglandin E1

An elderly woman with a history of cardiac failure treated with digitalis had both abdominal pain and dehydration. Parenteral fluid and electrolyte support failed to alleviate abdominal pain. Superior mesenteric arteriography combined with "spillover" method of estimating blood flow revealed an intestinal nonocclusive ischemic state which was treated successfully with 44-hour intraarterial infusion of prostaglandin E1. Laparotomy performed during the drug infusion revealed viable intestine.