Intestinal ischemia and infarction is damage to (ischemia) or death of (infarction) part of the intestine due to a decrease in its blood supply.
Alternative NamesIntestinal necrosis; Ischemic bowel; Dead bowel; Dead gut
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are several possible causes of intestinal ischemia and infarction.
Hernia: If the intestine moves into the wrong place or becomes tangled, this can lead to intestinal ischemia.
Adhesions: The intestine may become trapped in scar tissue from past surgery (adhesions). This can lead to ischemia if left untreated.
Embolus: A blood clot from the heart or main blood vessels may travel through the bloodstream and block one of the arteries supplying the intestine. Patients with previous heart attacks or with arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are at risk for this problem.
Arterial thrombosis: The arteries that supply blood to the intestine may become so narrowed from atherosclerotic disease(cholesterol buildup) that they become blocked. When this happens in the arteries to the heart, it causes a heart attack. When it happens in the arteries to the intestine, it causes intestinal ischemia.
Venous thrombosis: The veins carrying blood away from the intestines may become blocked by blood clots. This blocks blood flow into the intestines. This is more common in people with liver disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorders.
Low blood pressure: Very low blood pressure in patients who already have narrowing of the intestinal arteries may also cause intestinal ischemia. This typically occurs in patients who are very ill for other reasons. It can be compared to losing water pressure in a hose with a partial blockage.
SymptomsThe hallmark of intestinal ischemia is abdominal pain. Other symptoms include:
Laboratory tests may show a high white blood cell (WBC) count (a marker of infection) and increased acid in the bloodstream.
Other tests include:
None of these tests are foolproof, however. Sometimes the only sure way to diagnose intestinal ischemia is with a surgical procedure.
TreatmentTreatment usually requires surgery. The section of intestine that has died is removed, and the healthy remaining ends of bowel reconnected.
In some cases, a colostomy or ileostomy is necessary. A blockage of arteries supplying the intestine is corrected if possible.
Expectations (prognosis)Intestinal ischemia is a serious condition that can result in death if not treated promptly. The outlook depends on the cause. A good outcome may be achieved with prompt treatment.
ComplicationsIntestinal infarction may require a colostomy or ileostomy, either temporary or permanent. Peritonitis is common in such cases.
Severe illness with fever and bloodstream infection (sepsis) can result.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have any severe abdominal pain.
PreventionPreventive measures include:
Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers MB, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 50.
Hauser SC. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 146.
Intestinal ischemia and infarction is damage to (ischemia) or death of (infarction) part of the intestine due to a decrease in its blood supply.
Alternative NamesIntestinal necrosis; Ischemic bowel; Dead bowel; Dead gut
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are several possible causes of intestinal ischemia and infarction.
Hernia: If the intestine moves into the wrong place or becomes tangled, this can lead to intestinal ischemia.
Adhesions: The intestine may become trapped in scar tissue from past surgery (adhesions). This can lead to ischemia if left untreated.
Embolus: A blood clot from the heart or main blood vessels may travel through the bloodstream and block one of the arteries supplying the intestine. Patients with previous heart attacks or with arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, are at risk for this problem.
Arterial thrombosis: The arteries that supply blood to the intestine may become so narrowed from atherosclerotic disease(cholesterol buildup) that they become blocked. When this happens in the arteries to the heart, it causes a heart attack. When it happens in the arteries to the intestine, it causes intestinal ischemia.
Venous thrombosis: The veins carrying blood away from the intestines may become blocked by blood clots. This blocks blood flow into the intestines. This is more common in people with liver disease, cancer, or blood clotting disorders.
Low blood pressure: Very low blood pressure in patients who already have narrowing of the intestinal arteries may also cause intestinal ischemia. This typically occurs in patients who are very ill for other reasons. It can be compared to losing water pressure in a hose with a partial blockage.
SymptomsThe hallmark of intestinal ischemia is abdominal pain. Other symptoms include:
Laboratory tests may show a high white blood cell (WBC) count (a marker of infection) and increased acid in the bloodstream.
Other tests include:
None of these tests are foolproof, however. Sometimes the only sure way to diagnose intestinal ischemia is with a surgical procedure.
TreatmentTreatment usually requires surgery. The section of intestine that has died is removed, and the healthy remaining ends of bowel reconnected.
In some cases, a colostomy or ileostomy is necessary. A blockage of arteries supplying the intestine is corrected if possible.
Expectations (prognosis)Intestinal ischemia is a serious condition that can result in death if not treated promptly. The outlook depends on the cause. A good outcome may be achieved with prompt treatment.
ComplicationsIntestinal infarction may require a colostomy or ileostomy, either temporary or permanent. Peritonitis is common in such cases.
Severe illness with fever and bloodstream infection (sepsis) can result.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have any severe abdominal pain.
PreventionPreventive measures include:
Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers MB, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 50.
Hauser SC. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 146.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/20/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Ischemia=decreased oxygen/nutrients Infarction=no blood flow to the area ischemia can leads to infarction. ischemia means, reduced of blood supply to specific organ. while, infarction refers to death tissue.
Myocardial ischemia is owing to poor blood supply and infarction is due to no blood supply. The severity of both differs and ischemia can progress to infarction.
Yes, it is curable. Intestinal ischemia happens when blood flow to your intestines is diminished. It is treated with antibiotics, or in extreme cases with surgery.
Ischemia is the medical term meaning decreased blood supply. Prolonged ischemia can lead to infarction.
Intestinal ischemia is indirectly due to heredity. The condition is caused by the narrowing or blocking of an artery, and one of the reasons this may happen is due to cholesterol buildup. Since high cholesterol is at least partly due to heredity, intestinal ischemia can be thought of as inheritable.
Bleeding (badly) in or from your intestines.
myocardial infarction
Intestinal Ischemia is a problem with your bowel. It appears to be an injury to your intestines. It is mostly common among the elderly. This does not mean a young person can not also have.
Like your other organs, your digestive system needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. A diminished blood flow to your small intestine or colon is called intestinal ischemia (is-KE-me-uh). Intestinal ischemia can cause pain and make it difficult for your intestines to do their job. In severe cases, loss of blood flow to the intestines can lead to damaged or dead intestinal tissue, not unlike what happens to the heart during a heart attack. And like a heart attack, intestinal ischemia can be fatal. But you can receive effective treatments for intestinal ischemia. The most critical factor in effectively treating intestinal ischemia is recognizing the early symptoms and getting medical help right away.
Myocardial ischemia or infarction. (Heart attack)
There are four categories of cerebral hypoxia; in order of severity they are: diffuse cerebral hypoxia (DCH), focal cerebral ischemia, cerebral infarction, and global cerebral ischemia.
There are many herbal remedies for intestinal ischemia. Some of these include probiodics, citrulline, acupuncture, and reducing stress. It is highly recommended that you seek medical help and medication before trying herbal remedies.