Mesenteric ischemia

Mesenteric ischemia occurs when blood flow to the intestines is reduced or blocked, often due to narrowed or blocked mesenteric arteries. This condition can range from a slow, chronic process to a sudden medical emergency, and it can cause serious damage to the intestines if left untreated. With prompt diagnosis and the right care team, many people can restore blood flow and protect their digestive health. 

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Medical illustration showing the aorta and major branching arteries.

Anatomy of the mesenteric arteries

Your intestines depend on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood delivered through the mesenteric arteries, which branch off the aorta, the body's main artery. These vessels work alongside the rest of your cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels, to keep blood circulating efficiently throughout your digestive organs. 

When mesenteric artery stenosis, or narrowing of these arteries, develops, it can restrict blood flow to the intestines. This narrowing may build gradually, leading to chronic mesenteric ischemia, or it can happen suddenly if a blood clot blocks an artery, causing acute mesenteric ischemia. Because the intestines are sensitive to changes in blood supply, reduced circulation can quickly affect digestion and, in severe cases, the health of the intestinal tissue itself. 

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