Ischemic colitis: risk factors, diagnosis and prognosis in patients undergoing surgery

Abstract

Objective To identify risk factors, diagnosis and prognosis associated with ischemic colitis, focusing mainly on patients undergoing surgery. Materials and methods This retrospective study included all patients admitted to the Centro Hospitalar de São João – E. P. E., diagnosed with ischemic colitis during the period from 2012 to 2013. Results The study included 154 patients; 118 were undergoing medical treatment, with a 12% mortality rate, and 36 were undergoing surgery, with a 61% associated mortality rate. Hypertension was the most common risk factor in both groups. The presence of a large number of cardiovascular risk factors in both groups, such as hypertension and dyslipidemia, was recorded, but we still found no direct relationship with development of ischemic colitis. Comorbidities that affect blood flow, such as the presence of thrombi or aneurysms, do provide a worse prognosis and therefore require a more aggressive treatment. Conclusion The diagnosis of ischemic colitis is not always immediately established due to a nonspecific presentation. Surgical treatment should be reserved for severe cases with a worse prognosis associated.