Early endovascular approaches for treating acute mesenteric arterial occlusive disease in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Among hemodialysis patients, acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis a condition with a high mortality rate. Very few larger case series have been reported. METHOD: We reviewed eight hemodialysis patients with diabetes mellitus and SMA thrombosis managed with endovascular therapy in our institution. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were described. The patency of the SMA was assessed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) at one month after the endovascular procedure. At the last visit, clinical symptoms and check of mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Multidetector CTA scan revealed severe stenosis of SMA in 6 patients and SMA occlusion in the other two patients. The severe stenosis of SMA were verified by angiography. Balloon angioplasty without stenting was performed to obtain satisfactory patency of SMA. Seven of eight patients achieved resolution of abdominal pain after the endovascular procedure. One patient died of suspected intestinal necrosis after 6 days of balloon angioplasty. All seven surviving patients did not experience a recurrence of symptoms with a median follow-up of 2 years. No significant residual stenotic or occlusive lesions were noted in follow-up CTA at one month after the endovascular procedure. CONCLUSION: SMA thrombosis should be systematically suspected in hemodialysis patients experiencing abdominal pain. Prompt diagnosis of SMA thrombosis as soon as possible and early endovascular therapy are required to obtain a favorable prognosis in the hemodialysis patient with SMA thrombosis.

Factors that may affect the outcome of acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia. A single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia is a rare but lethal disease. Acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia consists of mesenteric artery embolism, mesenteric artery thrombosis, and mesenteric vein thrombosis. This study aimed to investigate the factors that may affect the outcome of acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia. METHODS: Data from acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia patients admitted between May 2016 and May 2022 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether complications(Clavien‒Dindo ≥ 2) occurred within 6 months of the first admission. Demographics, symptoms, signs, laboratory results, computed tomography angiography features, management and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: 59 patients were enrolled in this study. Complications(Clavien‒Dindo ≥ 2) occurred within 6 months of the first admission in 17 patients. Transmural intestinal necrosis, peritonitis, white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, percentage of lymphocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, cardiac troponin I, laparoscopic exploration rate, open embolectomy rate, enterostomy rate, length of necrotic small bowel, length of healthy small bowel, surgical time and intraoperative blood loss differed significantly between groups. Creatine kinase isoenzyme (OR = 1.415, 95% CI: 1.060-1.888) and surgical time (OR = 1.014, 95% CI: 1.001-1.026) were independent risk factors associated with complications(Clavien‒Dindo ≥ 2). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia patients with a creatine kinase isoenzyme level greater than 2.22 ng/mL or a surgical time longer than 156 min are more likely to experience complications'(Clavien‒Dindo ≥ 2) occurrence within 6 months of the first admission.

High risk and low prevalence diseases: Mesenteric ischemia.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenteric ischemia is a rare, frequently misdiagnosed, serious condition that carries with it a high rate of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This review highlights the pearls and pitfalls of mesenteric ischemia, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence. DISCUSSION: Mesenteric ischemia is an abdominal vascular emergency that includes superior mesenteric arterial embolism, arterial thrombosis, venous mesenteric ischemia, and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. It is associated with a variety of risk factors including older age, cardiovascular disease, hypercoagulable state, and end-stage renal disease. The presentation depends on the underlying pathophysiology. While arterial embolic disease may present with sudden, severe pain, the early stages of the disease and other forms can present with vague symptoms, including generalized abdominal pain, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. Laboratory testing can suggest the disease with leukocytosis and elevated lactate, but normal values should not be used to exclude the diagnosis. The imaging modality of choice is triple phase computed tomography with non-contrast, arterial, and delayed phases. The initial ED management includes fluid resuscitation, symptomatic therapy, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and anticoagulation. Emergent consultation with a multidisciplinary team including diagnostic and interventional radiologists and cardiovascular and general surgeons is necessary for definitive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An understanding of mesenteric ischemia can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this disease.

Review article: Acute superior mesenteric vessel ischaemia: A review of clinical practice and biomarkers.

A patient with acute occlusion of the superior mesenteric vessels resulting in superior mesenteric vessel ischaemia (SMVI) who presents to the ED with abdominal pain and unremarkable abdominal examination risks delay in diagnosis and treatment with adverse outcome. A comprehensive literature search was performed, and the evidence was reviewed. To-date, there are no accurate biomarkers of SMVI and so, heightened awareness among ED staff and rapidly actioning diagnostic imaging and surgical referral will help fast-track the patient with SMVI to surgical management. Management of SMVI is challenging and requires ongoing communication. Prompt surgical intervention may help reduce mortality and morbidity in SMVI. SMVI is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. With the lack of accurate biomarkers, diagnosis and management is challenging and requires heightened awareness among ED staff for prompt surgical referral and intervention.

Acute mesenteric ischemia: updated guidelines of the World Society of Emergency Surgery.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a group of diseases characterized by an interruption of the blood supply to varying portions of the intestine, leading to ischemia and secondary inflammatory changes. If untreated, this process may progress to life-threatening intestinal necrosis. The incidence is low, estimated at 0.09-0.2% of all acute surgical admissions, but increases with age. Although the entity is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, diligence is required because if untreated, mortality remains in the range of 50%. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention are the cornerstones of modern treatment to reduce the high mortality associated with this entity. The advent of endovascular approaches in parallel with modern imaging techniques is evolving and provides new treatment options. Lastly, a focused multidisciplinary approach based on early diagnosis and individualized treatment is essential. Thus, we believe that updated guidelines from World Society of Emergency Surgery are warranted, in order to provide the most recent and practical recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of AMI.

Superior Mesenteric Arterial Occlusion Following Laparoscopic Partial Fundoplication.

A 62-year-old male with history and endoscopic findings consistent with gastroesophageal reflux underwent elective laparoscopic fundoplication. He developed severe abdominal pain four days postoperatively, and computed tomography (CT) angiogram of the abdomen demonstrated occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery due to dissection. The patient was administered intravenous heparin following vascular surgical advice, resulting in resolution of the pain within an hour and no subsequent complications. Laparoscopy-associated mesenteric vascular events are rare but associated with very high morbidity and mortality. Mesenteric arterial occlusion is most frequently reported following laparoscopic cholecystectomy but may occur following many common laparoscopic procedures. Presentation generally occurs hours to days following the procedure, with severe abdominal pain out of proportion with physical signs. If left unrecognized, patients progress to bowel and visceral ischemia, necrosis, and multiorgan failure. Mechanisms postulated to cause these mesenteric vascular events involve changes in splanchnic blood flow, reduced cardiac output and systemic venous return, and hypercapnia related to carbon dioxide insufflation. Diagnosis may be made promptly with CT angiography, and potentially treated with intravenous heparin alone, avoiding a laparotomy or bowel resection. This is the first reported case of successful anticoagulation causing resolution of the occlusion sufficient to avoid reoperation or bowel resection. Once identified, this condition should be treated in liaison with vascular surgery colleagues, which may require anticoagulation, endovascular, or open intervention.

Case report: Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in the setting of sildenafil use.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a condition that results from a sudden decline in blood flow through the mesenteric vessels that has a high morbidity and mortality. Non-occlusive AMI often presents in critically ill, hypotensive patients that suffer from decreased organ perfusion. Here we describe a case of non-occlusive acute mesenteric ischemia in the setting of transient hypotension precipitated by sildenafil. The patient required rapid fluid resuscitation in the emergency department. He did not require surgical intervention and was able to be discharged home with resolution of symptoms after a 7-day inpatient stay.

[Gas in superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis as a rare CT-sign of extensive bowel necrosis]. / Gaz v verkhnei bryzheechnoi arterii i chrevnom stvole kak redkii KT-priznak obshirnogo nekroza kishechnika.

The authors report endovascular treatment of acute thromboembolic occlusion of superior mesenteric artery in a 75-year-old patient whose postoperative period was complicated by massive reperfusion and translocation syndrome. Contrast-enhanced CT in 12 hours after successful thrombectomy from superior mesenteric artery revealed CT signs of irreversible bowel lesion, i.e. gas in hepatic veins, intestinal wall and mesenteric veins, bowel wall thinning. In addition, CT revealed extremely rare sign of severe acute mesenteric ischemia (gas in superior mesenteric artery and celiac axis). We found no description of gas in celiac axis following acute mesenteric ischemia in available literature.

Surgical and endovascular revascularization of chronic mesenteric ischemia.

PURPOSE: Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a rare but life-threatening disease. This study reviewed outcomes in patients treated surgically for CMI by open treatment (OT) and endovascular treatment (ET), analyzing risk factors for endovascular failure. METHODS: Clinical data for 36 patients treated for CMI from 2007 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The study's primary endpoint was symptom-free survival. The secondary endpoint was the primary technical success for endovascular and open surgical treatments. Risk factors for endovascular failure were identified by using univariate analysis. RESULTS: Patients were analyzed as treated: 21 patients (58.3%) in the ET and 15 (41.6%) in the OT group. Overall, 20 patients (56%) presented with abdominal angina, 9 (25%) with rest pain, and 7 (19%) without symptoms. An ET was initially attempted in 31 patients (86.1%). The conversion rate from ET to OT was 32.3%, which resulted in a primary technical success of 67.6% in ET and 100% in OT. Six patients from the ET group (19.3%) required surgical revision due to restenosis. One-year (OT 91.6% vs. ET 96.8%; n.s.) and three-year primary patency (OT 91.6% vs. ET 80.6%; n.s.) as well as 3-year symptom-free survival did not differ between the groups (OT 62.5% vs. ET 69.4%; n.s). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 2.8% (n = 1), which was not statistically different between the groups (OT 6% vs. ET 0%; n.s.). High-grade stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery tended to be associated with higher technical failure (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: ET showed a comparable perioperative outcome with higher technical failure. OT was distinguished by excellent early and late technical success.

Synchronous Total Occlusion of the Celiac Axis and Superior Mesenteric Artery: An Autopsy Case.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is often caused by superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolization. We report a rare case of synchronous celiac axis and SMA embolization in an elderly woman with initially mild abdominal pain. Ultimately, a second contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed extensive necrosis from the stomach to the transverse colon together with liver ischemia due to hours of occlusion. Multiorgan failure made palliation the only option, and she died the following evening. Autopsy revealed a fragile atherosclerosis-asso-ciated thrombus. Careful examination and repeat diagnostic tests should be performed in patients with mild abdominal symptoms at risk for AMI.

Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia in Chronic Dialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Among dialysis patients, occlusive mesenteric vascular disease has rarely been reported. OBJECTIVES: To report on the experience of one center with regard to diagnosing and treating this complication. METHODS: The retrospective case-series involved six patients (3 females, 3 males; age 52-88 years; 5/6 were smokers) on chronic hemodialysis at a single center. All patients with symptoms suggestive of occlusive mesenteric disease and a subsequent angiographic intervention were included. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected from patient charts for the period before and after angioplasty and stenting of the mesenteric vessels. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the relevant data before and after the intervention. RESULTS: All participants had variable co-morbidities and postprandial abdominal pain, food aversion, and weight loss. CT angiography was limited due to heavy vascular calcifications. All underwent angioplasty with stenting of the superior mesenteric artery (4 patients) or the celiac artery (2 patients). All procedures were successful in resolving abdominal pain, malnutrition, and inflammation. Weight loss before was 15 ± 2 kg and weight gain after was 6 ± 2 kg. C-reactive protein decreased from 13.4 ± 5.2 mg/dl to 2.2 ± 0.4 mg/dl (P < 0.05). Serum albumin increased from 3.0 ± 0.2 g/dl to 3.9 ± 0.1 g/dl (P < 0.05). Two patients underwent a repeat procedure (4 years, 5 months, respectively). Follow-up ranged from 0.5-7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusive mesenteric ischemia occurs among dialysis patients. The diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion, and it is manageable by angiography and stenting of the most involved mesenteric artery.

Retrograde Open Mesenteric Stenting for Acute and Chronic Mesenteric Ischaemia: Results from an Intestinal Stroke Centre.

OBJECTIVE: To report the intra-operative adverse events (IOAEs) and the initial and one year outcomes of retrograde open mesenteric stenting (ROMS) using balloon expandable covered stents for acute and chronic mesenteric ischaemia. METHODS: Clinical data and outcomes of all consecutive patients treated with ROMS for acute and chronic mesenteric ischaemia at an intestinal stroke centre between November 2012 and September 2019 were reviewed. ROMS was performed using balloon expandable covered stents. Endpoints included IOAEs, in hospital mortality, post-operative complications, and re-interventions. One year overall survival, freedom from re-intervention, primary patency and assisted primary patency rates were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier time to event method. RESULTS: During the study period, 379 patients were referred to the centre for acute or chronic mesenteric ischaemia. Thirty-seven patients who underwent the ROMS procedure were included. All the patients had severe atherosclerotic mesenteric lesions. The ROMS technical success rate was 89% in this cohort. The rate of IOAEs was 19% and included four cases of retrograde recanalisation failure. All ROMS failures occurred in patients presenting with flush superior mesenteric artery occlusion and they were treated by mesenteric bypass. Ten patients (27%) underwent bowel resection, four of which resulted in a short bowel syndrome (11%). The in hospital mortality rate was 27%. Post-operative complications and re-intervention rates were 67% (n = 25) and 32% (n = 12), respectively. The median follow up was 20.2 months (interquartile range 29). The estimated one year overall survival for the cohort was 70.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.5% - 82.2%). The estimated freedom from re-intervention at one year was 61.1% (95% CI 42.3 - 75.4). The one year primary patency and assisted primary patency rates were 84.54% (95% CI 63.34 - 94) and 92.4% (95% CI 72.8 - 98), respectively. CONCLUSION: ROMS procedures offer acceptable one year outcomes for mesenteric ischaemia but are associated with frequent stent related complications. Precise pre-operative planning, high quality imaging, and meticulous stent placement techniques may limit the occurrence of such events.

Postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation causing acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery: A case report.

RATIONALE: Postoperative atrial fibrillation following noncardiac surgery increases mortality, length of hospital stay, and medical expenses; moreover, compared to nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, it poses a similar risk of thromboembolic complications. In this report, we discuss our decision-making process for diagnosis and treatment in case with unexpected postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation causing acute mesenteric ischemia. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 78-year-old male patient received varicose vein stripping and ligation in his right leg. The patient was previously healthy with no known comorbidities. The next day after surgery, he complained of sudden epigastric pain unresponsive to conservative treatment, and new-onset atrial fibrillation was observed on electrocardiography. DIAGNOSES: An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery. INTERVENTIONS: Emergent surgical embolectomy was performed successfully. The time to operation from the recognition of abdominal pain was 6 h. Surgical critical care was performed for life-threatening ischemic reperfusion injury. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 40th postoperative day. LESSONS: Atypical postoperative abdominal pain unresponsive to conservative treatment should be considered a surgical emergency, and a high level of clinical suspicion for acute mesenteric ischemia is required. Preoperative electrocardiography and postoperative telemetry might be helpful in some asymptomatic patients.

Endovascular Revascularization with Stent Implantation in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia due to Acute Arterial Thrombosis: Clinical Outcome and Predictive Factors.

PURPOSE: To determine 30-day-mortality rates and identify predictors for survival in patients undergoing endovascular revascularization for acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) due to occlusion of the celiac (CA) or superior mesenteric artery (SMA) from arterial thrombosis in the setting of atherosclerosis at the vessel origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis on patients who underwent acute endovascular revascularization to treat AMI caused by thrombotic occlusion of the CA and/or SMA between January 2011 and December 2019 was conducted. 30-day-mortality rates were calculated. Univariate binomial logistic regression analyses (p < 0.05) were performed to assess whether the following factors were associated with 30-day mortality: sex, age, history of smoking, history of abdominal angina, signs of bowel necrosis on pre-interventional CT, one- vs. two-vessel disease, patency of the inferior mesenteric artery, outpatient or inpatient occurrence of ischemia, onset of AMI during ITU stay, elevated pre-interventional serum lactate levels, total leukocyte count, platelet/lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. RESULTS: 40 patients were included in this analysis. 30-day-mortality rate was 25/40 (62.5%). Median overall survival of patients who survived the first 30 days was 36 ± 18 months. None of the analyzed factors was statistically significantly associated with 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Although mortality of patients with AMI due to acute arterial thrombosis remains high, almost 40% of patient who underwent emergent endovascular revascularization survived longer than one month. Since no predictors for the outcome in these patients were identified, all patients with AMI should be offered an immediate revascularization effort.

Natural History of Asymptomatic Superior Mesenteric Arterial Stenosis Depends on Coeliac and Inferior Mesenteric Artery Status.

OBJECTIVE: The benefit of preventive treatment for superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stenosis remains uncertain. The latest European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) guidelines remain unclear given the lack of data in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate asymptomatic SMA stenosis prognosis according to the presence of associated coeliac artery (CA) and/or inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) stenosis. METHODS: This was a single academic centre retrospective study. The entire computed tomography (CT) database of a single tertiary hospital was reviewed from 2009 to 2016. Two groups were defined: patients with isolated > 70% SMA stenosis (group A) and patients with both SMA and CA and/or IMA > 70% stenosis (group B). Patient medical histories were reviewed to determine the occurrence of mesenteric disease (MD) defined as development of acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) or chronic mesenteric ischaemia (CMI). RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included. Median follow up was 39 months. There were 24 patients in group A and 53 patients in group B. In group B, eight (10.4%) patients developed MD with a median onset of 50 months. AMI occurred in five patients with a median of 33 months and CMI in three patients with a median of 88 months. Patients of group B developed more MD (0% vs. 15.1%; p = .052). The five year survival rate was 45% without significant difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with SMA stenosis associated with CA and/or IMA seem to have a higher risk of developing mesenteric ischaemia than patients with isolated SMA stenosis. Considering the low life expectancy of these patients, cardiovascular risk factor assessment and optimisation of medical treatment is essential. Preventive endovascular revascularisation could be discussed for patients with non-isolated > 70% SMA stenosis, taking into account life expectancy.

Mesenteric Arteriovenous Dysplasia/Vasculopathy Mimicking Crohn's Disease: A Case Report / Displasia arteriovenosa mesentérica/vasculopatía mimetizante de enfermedad de Crohn: reporte de un caso

Mesenteric arteriovenous vasculopathy (MAVD/V) is an extremely rare and poorly understood disease and its incidence is probably underestimated. It is an uncommon, non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic form of mesenteric vascular injury, first reported in 2016, with characteristic histopathologic evidence of fibromuscular dysplasia-like vascular changes. We present the case of a chronically ill 84-year-old female with a 5 year history of recurrent small bowel obstruction, who underwent segmental resection of the small bowel. Intraoperative examination showed bowel stricture with fibrosis, intraluminal pill fragments and creeping mesenteric adipose tissue clinically compatible with Crohn's disease. Histological examination showed acute and chronic mucosal injury characterized by crypt distortion, ulcerations with granulation tissue, pseudo-pyloric metaplasia, areas of fibrosis and serosal adhesions. Multiple blood vessels (including both veins and arteries) demonstrated wall hyalinization, elastic degeneration and non-atherosclerotic luminal occlusion. The pattern of the mucosal injury is, in this case, potentially a consequence of acute and chronic ischemic processes secondary to mesenteric arteriovenous vasculopathy

La vasculopatía arteriovenosa mesentérica (MAVD/V) es una enfermedad extremadamente rara y poco conocida, con una incidencia probablemente subestimada. Se trata de una forma infrecuente, no inflamatoria y no aterosclerótica de lesión vascular mesentérica, reportada por primera vez en 2016, con evidencia histopatológica característica de cambios vasculares de tipo displasia fibromuscular. Presentamos el caso de una paciente crónica de 84 años de edad, con historia de cinco años de obstrucción recurrente de intestino delgado a quien se le practicó resección segmental del mismo. El examen intraoperatorio reveló estenosis intestinal con fibrosis, fragmentos intraluminales de píldoras, y tejido adiposo mesentérico serpiginoso clínicamente compatible con enfermedad de Crohn. El examen histológico reveló lesión mucosa aguda y crónica, evidenciada por distorsión de la cripta, ulceraciones con tejido granuloso, metaplasia pseudopilórica, áreas de fibrosis y adherencias serosas. Los múltiples vasos sanguíneos (incluyendo venas y arterias) reflejaron hialinización de la pared, degeneración elástica y oclusión luminal no aterosclerótica. El patrón de la lesión mucosa es, en este caso, una consecuencia potencial de un proceso isquémico crónico secundario a vasculopatía arteriovenosa mesentérica

Superior Mesenteric Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly present with fever, constitutional symptoms, and respiratory symptoms. However, atypical presentations are also well known. Though isolated mesenteric arterial occlusion associated with COVID-19 has been reported in literature, combined superior mesenteric arterial and venous thrombosis is rare. We report a case of combined superior mesenteric arterial and venous occlusion associated with COVID-19 infection. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 45-year-old man who was a health care worker who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. The clinical examination was unremarkable, but imaging revealed acute mesenteric ischemia caused by superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein occlusion. Imaging of the chest was suggestive of COVID-19 infection, which was later confirmed with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of his nasopharyngeal swab. To date, only 1 case of combined superior mesenteric artery and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis caused by COVID-19 has been reported. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: During the COVID-19 pandemic it is important to keep mesenteric ischemia in the differential diagnosis of unexplained abdominal pain. Routinely adding high-resolution computed tomography of the chest to abdominal imaging should be considered in patients with acute abdomen because it can help to identify COVID-19 immediately. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

A Peculiar Case of Small Bowel Stricture in a Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patient with Congenital Adhesion Band and Superior Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence supporting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related coagulopathy. In the available literature, only 2 cases of superior mesenteric vein thrombosis have been described. METHODS: We present a peculiar case of high-grade small bowel obstruction in a patient with COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: Exploratory laparotomy revealed a congenital adhesion band with associated focal bowel ischemia contributed by superior mesenteric vein thrombosis and positive lupus anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider the rare differential of mesenteric vein thrombosis and its related sequelae of mesenteric ischemia in a patient with COVID-19 who presents with abdominal pain.

Perioperative Microcirculatory Changes Detected with Gastroscopy Assisted Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Visible Light Spectroscopy in Patients with Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Physiological tests may aid in diagnosing median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). MALS is a symptomatic compression of the celiac artery causing symptoms similar to chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) of atherosclerotic etiology. Simultaneous use of visible light spectroscopy (VLS) and laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) during upper endoscopy may detect microcirculatory changes in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a single-center, prospective comparative cohort, 25 patients were evaluated for MALS. Patients with a consensus diagnosis of MALS (n=15) underwent a gastroscopy assisted, transmucosal microcirculatory assessment with LDF and VLS. Results were compared to individuals with normal intestinal circulation (n=38) evaluated with duplex ultrasonography, and to patients with chronic mesenteric ischemia (n=32). Treatment response was evaluated clinically at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and with ultrasound, VLS and LDF at three months. Health-related quality of life (QoL) was assessed with Euroqol (EQ-5D-5L), preoperatively, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative mean transmucosal oxygen saturation was significantly lower in patients with MALS (SO2 76±6), as compared to healthy individuals (SO2 81±4), p=0.02. An overall significant improvement in SO2 after surgical decompression of the celiac artery was found (SO2 81±3.7, p=0.05). Eleven (92%) patients with clinical improvement after laparoscopic decompression had a definitive diagnosis of MALS. Median follow-up was 18 months (4-24 months). Four of the five dimensions investigated with EQ-5D-5L improved. CONCLUSION: VLS detected a significantly lower baseline transmucosal SO2 in patients with MALS as compared to control subjects with normal intestinal circulation. An improvement in SO2 after laparoscopic decompression was found, supporting a possible ischemic etiology in our patient population.