Race Against the Clock: Severe Acute Abdominal Pain With Disastrous Complications

Although a rare medical condition, gastric ischemia is a medical emergency and requires prompt recognition. Current literature review is scarce, with a primary focus on iatrogenic, surgical, and vascular etiologies. The cases discussed focus on hypoperfusion secondary to refractory shock as the etiology of gastric ischemia and, unfortunately, death. Our cases add to the current literature by highlighting an alternative, less common etiology, thus broadening a clinician's suspicion of gastric ischemia complications in critically ill patients.

Esophageal and Gastroduodenal Hemorrhagic Necrosis: A Unique Finding in the Setting of Septic Shock and Vasopressor Use

Esophageal and gastroduodenal necrosis are rare conditions with poor prognosis. We describe a case that was diagnosed with upper endoscopy in the setting of severe septic shock. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which esophageal and gastroduodenal necrosis occurred simultaneously in this setting. We discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostic approach, and treatment options of this rare entity.