[Non occlusive mesenteric ischemia: a late complication of cardiogenic shock]

The case of a diabetic 62-year-old man with a past history of myocardial infarction, developing a cardial arrest followed by successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is reported. In the late clinical course, the patient displayed abdominal signs related to mesenteric ischaemia. The pathophysiology of non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia is discussed. Risk factors such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hemodialysis, the use of digoxine or alpha-adrenergic drugs are listed. Non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia is not an infrequent complication of cardiac failure in high risk patients.