ABSTRACT
CLINICAL ASPECTS Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Although relatively infrequent, acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening condition caused by a sudden decrease in blood flow to the intestines. Prolonged intestinal hypoperfusion can culminate in bowel necrosis and death, and mesenteric ischemia is associated with mortality ranging from 60% to 100% (2,3). While the early use of angiography has resulted in a decline in mortality rates over the past 30 years, patient outcome is highly dependent on prompt recognition and early treatment of this disease process (4).
