Introduction

Abstract

The mesenteric arterial vasculature is a biological domain that is susceptible to a broad spectrum of diseases and is well suited for management with minimally invasive interventions. Disease of the mesenteric vasculature tends toward processes that compromise vessel luminal diameter, resulting in chronic, acute, or acute-on-chronic mismatch between vascular supply and end-organ demand. Atherosclerosis and thromboembolic disease predominate. However, the mesenteric vasculature may also be affected by aortic or branch vessel dissection, mesenteric vein thrombosis, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, a variety of vasculitides, and median arcuate ligament compression. In addition to disease processes resulting in a mismatch between supply and demand, the mesenteric vasculature is also susceptible to the formation of true and false aneurysms which, in some instances, may lead to serious hemorrhagic consequences if left untreated. The goal of the current special issue is to provide insight into technical considerations in the diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of mesenteric arterial vascular disease. Topics considered in the present issue include: (1) imaging of the mesenteric vasculature, (2) acute mesenteric ischemia, (3) chronic mesenteric ischemia, (4) isolated atherosclerosis of the inferior mesenteric artery, (5) management of mesenteric vasculitis, and (6) management of median arcuate ligament compression of the mesenteric vasculature. These articles have been written with the day-to-day management of these conditions in mind and we hope the concepts considered herein will serve as a useful practical reference. We would like to thank the contributing authors for all their time, effort, and insight in the creation of the individual topic discussions that have culminated in production of this special issue. We would also like to thank Drs Razavi and Kaufmann for the opportunity to guest edit this special issue.