Superior mesenteric artery occlusion treated with PTA and stent placement

Open and endovascular revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia: tabular review of the literature

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is an uncommon disease in vascular surgery practice worldwide. Open revascularization remains the best treatment for low-risk patients due to durability and efficacy. Endovascular revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia was primarily indicated for elderly and higher-risk patients, but this has changed over the past 10 years due to development of more precise devices and lower morbidity and mortality rates despite the higher recurrence and restenosis rates. Our purpose was to summarize the data on endovascular and open revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia in a schematic tabular presentation.

Angioplasty and stenting of the superior mesenteric artery in acute mesenteric ischaemia

Acute mesenteric ischaemia is a challenging diagnostic problem with a very high mortality. Traditionally, laparotomy is required for definitive management. We describe a successful case of angioplasty and stenting of the superior mesenteric artery in a surgically unfit patient. We recommend that stenting be considered only in situations where the diagnosis has been made prior to bowel infarction, and if the patient poses a poor operative risk.

Angioplasty/stenting of the superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk: early and late outcomes

PURPOSE

To analyze the early results and durability of angioplasty/stenting of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and celiac trunk (CT).

METHODS

Twenty-two patients (19 women; mean age 69.2 years, range 52-88) with 24 symptomatic SMA or CT stenotic lesions were treated with dilation/stenting over a recent 4.5-year period. Two patients had lesions in both the SMA and CT treated. Clinical follow-up and duplex exams were done to evaluate long-term patency. Kaplan-Meier life-table analyses estimated the freedom from recurrent stenosis and recurrent symptoms, as well as survival rates.

RESULTS

The initial technical and clinical success rates were 96% (23/24) and 95% (21/22), respectively, with no perioperative mortality or major morbidity. During a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 1-54), the primary late clinical success rate was 61% (11/18; 4 lost to follow-up), and freedom from recurrent stenosis (> or =70%) was 30% (6/20). The freedom from recurrent stenosis at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 65%, 47%, 39%, and 13%; freedom from recurrent symptoms was 67% at all 4 intervals. The survival rates were 93%, 93%, 80%, and 53% at 1 to 4 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Angioplasty/stenting of SMA and CT stenoses has a high initial technical success rate and acceptable early and late clinical outcomes; however, it is associated with a high incidence of late restenosis based on strict Doppler criteria.

Transcatheter interventions for the treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic lesions: part I

Transcatheter endovascular procedures are increasingly used to treat symptomatic peripheral atherosclerosis. This two-part review identifies the existing evidence supportive of the application of transcatheter treatments for peripheral atherosclerotic lesions. The first part addresses the treatment of obstructive lesions that cause limb claudication and critical ischemia, renovascular hypertension and azotemia, and mesenteric ischemia. Studies were identified via a search of MEDLINE (January 1993 through April 1999) and reference lists of identified articles. When multicenter prospective randomized trials or other high-quality studies were unavailable, a preference was given to studies with at least 50 patients per treated group and a minimum mean follow-up duration of 6 months. Data presented in tables are proportionally weighted averages from included studies. For each application, the authors assessed the quality of evidence (QOE; efficacy, safety, and, where available, cost-effectiveness) and made recommendations with appropriate caveats. There is higher QOE supporting the more established treatments such as lower limb percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with stent placement and thrombolysis. Treatments such as renal artery PTA and stent placement and mesenteric and brachiocephalic PTA are in wide use, but high QOE supporting general application is lacking. Blanket recommendations based on established efficacy and cost-effectiveness cannot be made. However, the use of transcatheter therapies can be supported in specific circumstances based on an expected reduction in procedure-related morbidity and/or mortality rates. It is hoped that the identification of deficiencies in the literature will inform and inspire critically needed research in this area.

Intravascular stent implantation of the celiac artery in the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia

We report a case of chronic mesenteric ischemia that caused abdominal angina and weight loss in an 80-year-old woman. A mesenteric angiogram revealed total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and 90% stenosis of the celiac and inferior mesenteric arteries. Balloon angioplasty of the celiac artery failed because of elastic recoil. A 15-mm Palmaz-Schatz stent was dilated to 6 mm in the proximal celiac artery with an excellent angiographic result and complete resolution of symptoms. A clinical, 1-year follow-up demonstrated success with no recurrence of pain. This case report illustrates the value of balloon dilatation and stent implantation in a patient with atherosclerotic narrowing of multiple abdominal visceral arteries.

Stent implantation for mesenteric bypass graft stenosis

PURPOSE

To present a case of symptomatic mesenteric bypass graft stenosis treated with Palmaz stent implantation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 65-year-old man with a history of mesenteric ischemia and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion presented with recurrent symptoms 3 years after Dacron graft revision surgery for occlusion of a venous aorto-SMA bypass graft. Graft thrombectomy revealed a tortuous segment of narrowed graft proximally, and a Palmaz stent was deployed across the defect. Adequate flow was restored through the conduit, and the patient has remained asymptomatic for 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesenteric ischemia is a rare and potentially fatal condition requiring major vascular intervention. Revision surgery may be avoided by angioplasty and stent insertion across flow-limiting stenoses, even in prosthetic grafts.

Stent placement for treatment of mesenteric artery stenoses or occlusions

PURPOSE

To evaluate stent placement in the treatment of mesenteric ischemia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients (eight women, four men; mean age, 63 years) with chronic mesenteric ischemia underwent stent placement for stenoses or occlusions during a 5.5-year period. Nine patients with 10 stenoses (three celiac arteries, seven superior mesenteric arteries) and three patients with three chronic occlusions (two superior mesenteric arteries, one aortosuperior mesenteric artery bypass graft) were treated.

RESULTS

Initial technical success was achieved in 11 of the 12 patients (92%), including all three patients with chronic occlusions. There were no technical complications. There was one postprocedural death (<30 days) due to bowel ischemia and infarction, despite a technically successful procedure. Clinical follow-up was available in all 12 patients, with a mean follow-up of 15.7 months (range, 0-38.5 months). Primary and primary-assisted patency up to 18 months was 74% (standard error [SE], 13%) and 83% (SE, 11%), respectively. Secondary patency was 83% (SE, 11%) at 3 years. All three patients (100%) with chronic occlusions had relief of clinical signs and symptoms at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 13-38.5 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Stent placement is safe and clinically effective as an adjunctive therapy to angioplasty or as a primary method of treatment for chronic mesenteric ischemia in patients with focal visceral artery stenoses or occlusions.

Intestinal (mesenteric) vasculopathy. II. Ischemic colitis and chronic mesenteric ischemia

Ischemic colitis accounts for approximately half of all cases of mesenteric vasculopathy. The clinical presentation varies depending on underlying cause, extent of vascular obstruction, rapidity of ischemic insult, degree of collateral circulation, and presence of comorbidity. Ischemic colitis is usually diagnosed by colonoscopy. Only approximately 20% of patients require surgery because of signs or laboratory findings of peritonitis or because of clinical deterioration. Approximately 20% of patients develop chronic colitis from irreversible colonic ischemic injury, which manifests clinically as persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or weight loss and endoscopically as a colonic stricture or mass. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is almost always caused by significant atherosclerotic stenosis involving at least two mesenteric arteries, usually the superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis. The classic symptomatic triad of postprandial pain, fear of eating, and involuntary weight loss occurs with advanced disease.