Mesenteric ischaemic is a life--threatening condition that occurs as a result of interrupted or reduced blood flow to the bowel. It is categorised as acute or chronic and encompasses a range of pathology and symptoms. This article looks at the presentation, diagnosis, and management of the following: acute and chronic mesenteric ischaemia, ischaemic colitis, and venous infarction.
EPIDEMIOLOGYAcute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) is a surgical emergency with published mortality rates varying between 50% and 100% 1 . Establishing the incidence of AMI is difficult as it is usually diagnosed intra--operatively, or at autopsy (with varying post--mortem rates). A recent meta-analysis has suggested that the annual incidence of AMI lies between 0.09% and 0.2%, per patient, per year 1 . Median age at presentation is approximately 70 years, and the incidence increases with age, showing no gender difference.