Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia Research Articles

Spontaneous splenic rupture, mesenteric ischemia and spinal infarction after aortic repair for acute type A dissection in a patient with sickle cell trait

Sickle cell trait (SCT), a benign hematological condition affecting approximately 300 million individuals globally, is associated with an increased risk of vaso-occlusive disease. However, the risks related to surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with SCT are not well established. Herein, we report the case of a 27-year-old African American man with SCT who underwent an emergency aortic repair for acute Stanford type A aortic dissection using hypothermic circulatory arrest. The patient developed a sickle cell crisis, which was followed by spontaneous splenic infarction and rupture, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and spinal infarction.

Vascular changes of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA): A new component of the hypovolemic shock complex (HSC)

PurposeTo assess the type and frequency of vascular changes in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) associated with the hypovolemic shock complex (HSC). MethodsTwenty-six patients (14 males, 70.6 ± 11.2 years) meeting the criteria for hypovolemic shock complex in computed tomography were examined for the presence of angiographic signs of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) in the SMA: the string of sausages sign and spasms of the arcades of mesenteric arteries on coronal maximum intensity projection images (MIP). Interrater agreement was assessed using weighted kappa (κ). ResultsVascular changes of the SMA were visible in almost all of the patients with HSC with a frequency of 88.5 %–96.2 %. Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated a substantial to almost perfect interrater agreement. ConclusionsUsing computed tomography, it is possible to reliably and reproducibly detect vascular changes in SMA known from angiography in the context of hypoperfusion. The pathological vascular changes also occur more frequently than other classic signs of a CT hypoperfusion complex. Since the qualitative assessment of the SMA requires only a small amount of time, it is suitable as a further criterion for the presence of the CT hypoperfusion complex.

Evaluation and management of the surgical abdomen.

The aim of this study was to describe important features of clinical examination for the surgical abdomen, relevant investigations, and acute management of common surgical problems in the critically ill. Lactate remains a relatively nonspecific marker of gut ischemia. Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) scan can improve diagnosis of bowel ischemia. Further evidence supports intravenous contrast during CT scan in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Outcomes for acute mesenteric ischemia have failed to improve over time; however, increasing use of endovascular approaches, including catheter-directed thrombolysis, may decrease need for laparotomy in the appropriate patient. Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia remains a challenging diagnostic and management dilemma. Acalculous cholecystitis is managed with a percutaneous cholecystostomy and is unlikely to require interval cholecystectomy. Surgeon comfort with intervention based on point-of-care ultrasound for biliary disease is variable. Mortality for toxic megacolon is decreasing. Physical examination remains an integral part of the evaluation of the surgical abdomen. Interpreting laboratory investigations in context and appropriate imaging improves diagnostic ability; intravenous contrast should not be withheld for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Surgical intervention should not be delayed for the patient in extremis. The intensivist and surgeon should remain in close communication to optimize care.

Frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia after cardiac arrest

PurposeMesenteric ischaemia after successfully resuscitated cardiac arrest (CA) has been insufficiently studied. We aimed to assess the frequency, risk factors, and outcomes of non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia (NOMI) after CA. MethodsWe retrospectively included patients admitted to a CA centre with sustained return of spontaneous circulation between 2007 and 2017. NOMI was suspected based on clinical symptoms and classified as possible if no tests were feasible or the only test was a negative abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan and as confirmed if diagnosed by endoscopy, CT, or surgery. ResultsOf 1343 patients, 82 (6%) had suspected NOMI, including 33 (2.5%) with confirmed NOMI. Investigations for suspected NOMI were done in 47/82 (57%) patients (CT, n = 30; lower digestive endoscopy, n = 14; and upper digestive endoscopy, n = 12); 11 patients underwent surgery. By multivariate analysis, factors associated with suspected NOMI were female sex (OR, 1.8; 95%CI, 1.1–2.9, p = 0.02), cardiovascular comorbidities (OR, 1.6; 95%CI, 1.0–2.7; p = 0.047), admission lactate >5 mmol/L (OR, 2.0; 95%CI, 1.2–3.4; p = 0.01), low flow >17 min (OR, 2.2; 95%CI, 1.3–3.8; p = 0.003), and inotropic score >7 μg/kg/min (OR, 1.8; 95%CI, 1.1–3.2; p = 0.03). ICU mortality was 96% (79/82), with 61% of patients dying from multi-organ failure (MOF) and 35% from post-anoxic brain injury. Of the eight patients who regained consciousness, 5 finally died from MOF, leaving 3 patients discharged alive from the ICU with a good neurologic outcome. ConclusionsNOMI may affect 2.5–6% of patients after CA. Mortality was extremely high in patients, and very few survived with a good neurological outcome.

Study to analyze the patients presenting with acute mesenteric ischemia, to surgery unit in a tertiary care hospital, Telangana, South India

Introduction: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This is a serious disease in old age with low incidence but with a very high mortality rate (60-70%). The etiology is either primary i.e. embolism or thrombosis of mesenteric arteries or veins, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia or secondary i.e. mechanical obstruction such as intestinal volvulus, intussusception, tumor-caused compression. Methodology: Hospital based prospective observational study, conducted in General Surgery Department of RVM Hospital, Siddipet, Telangana State. This study was conducted for a period of one and half years (February 2019 to July 2020). 35 Patients are studied during this period of study. Results: 35 patients presenting with AMI were observed in this study with the majority being males, 25. Majority of the participants belong to the age group of 50-59yrs i.e 9 (25%). Out of the 35 patients, the mean age was 55.3years. Pain abdomen is chief complaint noted in all the 35 cases, followed by nausea among 20 and the least observed was diarrhoea in 4. Cases were distributed regarding the clinical presentation to the hospital in the form of acute obstruction 21 (61%), with only pain abdomen (25%), hollow viscous perforation leading to peritonitis 5 (14%). Majority of cases required bowel resection surgery (28 of 35) 79% as the bowels were gangrene or impending perforation. The remaining patients were managed with interventional or medical management. Conclusion: This study helped in determining the factors involved and the lab values which could help in determining prognosis but the earliest intervention.

S2179 Intradialytic Hypotension Causing Duodenal Ischemia and UGIB

INTRODUCTION: ESRD patients on hemodialysis have a high prevalence of predisposing conditions for mesenteric ischemia, but the contribution of intradialytic hypotension, a potentially modifiable risk factor, has not been well described [1]. Duodenum is a highly vascular region making ischemia rare, and therefore management has not been well documented. There are only a few cases of duodenal ischemia reported in post-op or ESRD patients [2] [3]. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 69 years old female with a medical history of ESRD, Hypertension, Type 2 DM, seizure disorder was admitted for a distal femur fracture. She had a right femur retrograde Intramedullary nail placed. The hospital course was complicated by ileus and numerous episodes of intradialytic hypotension with MAP's lower than 50's. The patient had intractable nausea and coffee ground emesis with a subsequent drop in hemoglobin to less than 7.0 hence required multiple PRBC transfusions. EGD showed evidence of ischemia and necrotic appearing duodenal mucosa with a substantial clot burden in the first part of the duodenum. Fresh blood oozing out from the duodenal bulb into the antrum was seen as well. Subsequent CT angiogram of the abdomen showed pneumatosis of the duodenal wall concerning for ischemia and ∼50% stenosis of the proximal celiac artery with associated diffuse calcific plaques of the SMA but not significant enough to cause duodenal ischemia by itself. The patient refused surgical intervention and was managed conservatively with IV fluids, pantoprazole, and antibiotics. Duodenal biopsy revealed necrotic tissue with acute inflammation and H pylori IgG was negative. Intradialytic hypotension was managed through sodium modeling with Midodrine pre-dialysis. The patient was discharged to an LTAC facility. DISCUSSION: The patient had a combination of ∼50% celiac artery and SMA stenosis, which could have compromised flow in the gastroduodenal vascular territory via the pancreaticoduodenal collaterals system. But this alone could not have compromised blood flow to a highly vascularized region as the duodenum. In this case, duodenal ischemia and UGIB was precipitated by intradialytic hypotension. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of duodenal ischemia causing UGIB with underlying intradialytic hypotension. The diagnosis of NOMI (nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia) presenting with UGIB is difficult. It requires a high level of suspicion since a delay in an early diagnosis results in a high mortality rate [4].Figure 1.: duodenal ischemia.Figure 2.: clot in duodenum.Figure 3

Planned Versus On-Demand Relaparotomy Strategy in Initial Surgery for Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia

BackgroundThere has been insufficient evidence regarding a treatment strategy for patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) due to the lack of large-scale studies. We aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of strategic planned relaparotomy in patients with NOMI using detailed perioperative information. MethodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study that included NOMI patients who underwent laparotomy. In-hospital mortality, 28-day mortality, incidence of total adverse events, ventilator-free days, and intensive care unit (ICU)–free days were compared between groups experiencing the planned and on-demand relaparotomy strategies. Analyses were performed using a multivariate mixed effects model and a propensity score matching model after adjusting for pre-operative, intra-operative, and hospital-related confounders. ResultsA total of 181 patients from 17 hospitals were included, of whom 107 (59.1%) were treated using the planned relaparotomy strategy. The multivariate mixed effects regression model indicated no significant differences for in-hospital mortality (61 patients [57.0%] in the planned relaparotomy group vs. 28 patients [37.8%] in the on-demand relaparotomy group; adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.94 [0.78–4.80]), as well as in 28-day mortality, adverse events, and ICU-free days. Significant reduction in ventilator-free days was observed in the planned relaparotomy group. Propensity score matching analysis of 61 matched pairs with comparable patient severity did not show superiority of the planned relaparotomy strategy. ConclusionsThe planned relaparotomy strategy, compared with on-demand relaparotomy strategy, did not show clinical benefits after the initial surgery of patients with NOMI. Further studies estimating potential subpopulations who may benefit from this strategy are required.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia associated with postoperative jejunal tube feeding: Indicators for clinical management.

Postoperative nutrition via a jejunal tube after major abdominal surgery is usually well tolerated. However, some patients develop nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). This morbid complication has a grave prognosis with a mortality rate of 41% to 100%. Early symptoms are nonspecific, and no treatment guideline is available. We reviewed cases of NOMI at our institution and cases described in the literature to identify factors that impact the clinical course. Among five patients, three had no necrosis and one had segmental necrosis and perforation. These patients recovered with limited resection and decompression of the bowel and abdominal compartment. In one patient with extended bowel necrosis at the time of re-laparotomy, NOMI progressed and the patient died of multiple organ failure. The extent of small bowel necrosis at the time of re-laparotomy is a relevant prognostic factor. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of NOMI can improve the prognosis. Clinical symptoms of abdominal distension, cramps and high reflux plus paraclinical signs of leukocytosis, hypotension and computed tomography findings of a distended small bowel with pneumatosis intestinalis and portal venous gas can help to establish the diagnosis. We herein introduce an algorithm for the diagnosis and management of NOMI associated with jejunal tube feeding.

The Incidence of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia in the Well-Defined Region of a Dutch Mesenteric Ischemia Expert Center.

INTRODUCTION:This study aimed to determine the incidence of chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) and to examine the influence of the etiological cause, location, and severity of a mesenteric artery stenosis on the probability of having CMI.METHODS:A prospective database, containing the details of all patients with suspected CMI referred to a renowned CMI expert center, was used. Patients residing within the expert centers' well-defined region, between January 2014 and October 2019, were included. CMI was diagnosed when patients experienced sustained symptom improvement after treatment.RESULTS:This study included 358 patients, 75 had a ≥50% atherosclerotic stenosis of 1 vessel (CMI 16%), 96 of 2 or 3 vessels (CMI 81%), 81 celiac artery compression (CMI 25%), and 84 no stenosis (CMI 12%). In total, 138 patients were diagnosed with CMI, rendering a mean incidence of 9.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2–13.7) per 100,000 inhabitants. Atherosclerotic CMI was most common, with a mean incidence of 7.2 (95% CI 4.6–11.3), followed by median arcuate ligament syndrome 1.3 (95% CI 0.5–3.6) and chronic nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia 0.6 (95% CI 0.2–2.6). The incidence of CMI was highest in female patients (female patients 12.0 [95% CI 7.3–19.6] vs male patients 6.5 [95% CI 3.4–12.5]) and increased with age. CMI was more prevalent in the presence of a ≥70% atherosclerotic single-vessel stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (40.6%) than the celiac artery (5.6%).DISCUSSION:The incidence of CMI is higher than previously believed and increases with age. Probability of CMI seems highest in suspected CMI patients with multivessel disease or a ≥70% atherosclerotic single-vessel superior mesenteric artery stenosis.

Three cases of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia that developed after head and neck cancer therapy

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) causes intestinal necrosis due to irreversible ischemia of the intestinal tract despite the absence of organic obstruction in the mesenteric blood vessels. The disease has extremely poor prognosis. We report three cases of NOMI hypothesized to have developed after head and neck cancer therapy; thus, we report these cases considering the available literature. Case 1: A 74-year-old man with T2N0M0 stage Ⅱ oropharyngeal carcinoma complained of abdominal pain 5 days after chemoradiotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with NOMI, and an emergency surgery was performed. Case 2: A 69-year-old man with T2N2bM0 stage IVA hypopharyngeal carcinoma complained of abdominal pain during TPF chemotherapy. The patient was diagnosed with NOMI, and he died on the same day. Case 3: A 82-year-old man with T2N2bM0 stage IVA hypopharyngeal carcinoma complained of abdominal pain with reduced level of consciousness, 5 days after total laryngopharyngectomy. The patient was diagnosed with NOMI, and an emergency surgery was performed on the same day. We therefore suggest that ENT physicians must be aware of NOMI as a complication that can develop after head and neck cancer therapy.

Successful Urgent Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Massive Liver Necrosis Accompanied by Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia in a Biliary Atresia Infant: A Case Report

BackgroundTreatment options for patients presenting with life-threatening splanchnic ischemia, including that of the intestine and liver, could previously only receive salvage surgery and attempted medical revascularization. We propose that urgent liver transplantation (LT) for acute liver failure (ALF) due to massive liver necrosis should be considered as a life-saving treatment. We successfully performed urgent living donor LT for nonocclusive hepatic ischemia accompanied by nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). CaseAn 11-month-old boy with biliary atresia whose jaundice was re-elevated after Kasai portoenterostomy underwent cysto-jejunostomy. Three hours after the uneventful operation, tachycardia, hypotension, and unconsciousness suddenly occurred. Computed tomography revealed whole-liver and massive splenic and focal intestinal ischemia without any vessel occlusion. Urgent LT was performed on postoperative day 3 because intensive therapies, including prostaglandin E1 administration, blood transfusion, and continuous hemodiafiltration, were not effective and the patient had developed life-threatening bradycardia and hypotension. Intraoperative findings included whole-liver necrosis and splenic ischemia and segmental ileal necrosis without any vessel thrombus. LT and necrotic intestinal resections by end-to-end anastomosis were performed. Massive liver necrosis with Gram-positive cocci was histopathologically identified, indicating bacterial translocation due to NOMI. The post-LT course was uneventful, and the neurologic outcomes were uncomplicated. ConclusionsUrgent LT was successfully completed for ALF with NOMI. LT is the sole treatment for the refractory ALF, and undelayed determination is important to rescue.

Prognostic Factors of Preoperative Examinations for Non-occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia: A Multicenter Retrospective Project Study Conducted by the Japanese Society for Abdominal Emergency Medicine.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) has a high mortality rate, but the analyses of preoperative prognostic factors for improving survival in patients suspected of having NOMI are scarce. We aimed to analyze the prognostic factors of preoperative examinations for NOMI. The clinical data of 224 patients with NOMI were retrospectively collected for a multicenter survey. Clinicophysiological factors were compared between the survivors and non-survivors (N = 107/117) and between the operative and non-operative cases (N = 180/44) by univariate analysis using chi-square test and multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazard models. In the operative cases, the prognostic operative factors were also analyzed. The overall mortality rate for NOMI was 52.2%. There were 129 male and 95 female patients. The mean age was 71.23 (14-94) years. Univariate analysis showed that cardiovascular complication, shock, abdominal pain, average blood pressure, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, aspartic aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, base excess, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio, D-dimer, and fibrinogen degradation products were independent prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that average blood pressure and base excess were independent prognostic factors. Among patients undergoing surgery, those with bowel resection had better prognosis than those without bowel resection, but those with long bowel resection had worse prognosis than those with short resection. Additional postoperative treatment was not effective compared with operation alone (P = 0.011). Prognostic factors of preoperative examinations for NOMI were average blood pressure and base excess. Patients with long bowel resection should be carefully monitored owing to their poor prognosis.

Successful surgical treatment for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia of a wide area of the intestine accompanied by gastric conduit necrosis after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundNonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) has been reported to be a life-threating disease. Gastric conduit necrosis is known as a critical postoperative complication after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. We encountered a rare case of NOMI of a wide area of the intestine accompanied by gastric conduit necrosis after esophagectomy, which was successfully treated with an emergency operation.Case presentationA 67-year-old man presented with dysphagia. He was diagnosed with middle thoracic advanced esophageal cancer. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he underwent subtotal esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy and gastric conduit reconstruction. On postoperative day (POD) 2, he had diarrhea, high fever, and low blood pressure, which were treated with catecholamines. Laboratory data revealed acidosis and severe sepsis with multi-organ failure, including the kidneys. Although enhanced computed tomography did not exhibit definite findings of bowel ischemia, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed necrotic mucosal changes in the whole gastric conduit. Therefore, we made a diagnosis of septic shock caused by gastric conduit necrosis and performed an emergency operation. When we explored the abdominal cavity, we found not only gastric conduit necrosis but also intermittent necrotic changes in the intestinal wall from the jejunum to the rectum. Therefore, NOMI was diagnosed. We performed an excision of the gastric conduit and 2 m of the small intestine, as well as total colectomy. After the second operation, prostaglandin E1 was administered intravenously as the treatment for NOMI, and sepsis was improved. On POD 122, he was self-discharged. He died of recurrence of lung metastasis from the esophageal cancer 9 months after the first operation.ConclusionWhen a patient has a critical status, including severe sepsis or severe acidosis, after esophagectomy, we should consider the possibility of NOMI in addition to gastric conduit necrosis and aim to diagnose and treat it immediately with an urgent operation.

Local Intra-arterial Vasodilator Infusion in Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia Significantly Increases Survival Rate

PurposeTo investigate the outcome of local intra-arterial papaverine infusion therapy in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), and factors influencing survival, in comparison with a conservative approach.MethodsFrom 2013 to 2019, patients with NOMI confirmed by imaging were included in a retrospective two-center study. According to different in-house standard procedures, patients were treated in each center either conservatively or interventionally by a standardized local infusion of intra-arterial papaverine into the splanchnic arteries. Thirty-day mortality and factors influencing the outcome, such as different demographics and laboratories, were compared between groups using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression, respectively.ResultsA total of 66 patients with NOMI were included, with n = 35 treated interventionally (21 males, mean age 67.7 ± 12.3 years) and n = 31 treated conservatively (18 females, mean age 71.6 ± 9.6 years). There was a significant difference in 30-day mortality between the interventional (65.7%; 12/35 survived) and the conservative group (96.8%; 1/31 survived) (hazard ratio 2.44; P = 0.005). Thresholds associated with a worse outcome of interventional therapy are > 7.68 mmol/l for lactate, < 7.31 for pH and < − 4.55 for base excess.ConclusionLocal intra-arterial papaverine infusion therapy in patients with NOMI significantly increases survival rate in comparison with conservative treatment. High lactate levels, low pH and high base excess, and high demand for catecholamines are associated with a poor outcome.Level of EvidenceLevel III.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction in the critically ill: a systematic scoping review and research agenda proposed by the Section of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine

BackgroundGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is frequent in the critically ill but can be overlooked as a result of the lack of standardization of the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We aimed to develop a research agenda for GI dysfunction for future research. We systematically reviewed the current knowledge on a broad range of subtopics from a specific viewpoint of GI dysfunction, highlighting the remaining areas of uncertainty and suggesting future studies.MethodsThis systematic scoping review and research agenda was conducted following successive steps: (1) identify clinically important subtopics within the field of GI function which warrant further research; (2) systematically review the literature for each subtopic using PubMed, CENTRAL and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; (3) summarize evidence for each subtopic; (4) identify areas of uncertainty; (5) formulate and refine study proposals that address these subtopics; and (6) prioritize study proposals via sequential voting rounds.ResultsFive major themes were identified: (1) monitoring, (2) associations between GI function and outcome, (3) GI function and nutrition, (4) management of GI dysfunction and (5) pathophysiological mechanisms. Searches on 17 subtopics were performed and evidence summarized. Several areas of uncertainty were identified, six of them needing consensus process. Study proposals ranked among the first ten included: prevention and management of diarrhoea; management of upper and lower feeding intolerance, including indications for post-pyloric feeding and opioid antagonists; acute gastrointestinal injury grading as a bedside tool; the role of intra-abdominal hypertension in the development and monitoring of GI dysfunction and in the development of non-occlusive mesenteric ischaemia; and the effect of proton pump inhibitors on the microbiome in critical illness.ConclusionsCurrent evidence on GI dysfunction is scarce, partially due to the lack of precise definitions. The use of core sets of monitoring and outcomes are required to improve the consistency of future studies. We propose several areas for consensus process and outline future study projects.

Vasodilator Therapy and Mortality in Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia: A Nationwide Observational Study.

Previous studies have suggested that vasodilator therapy may be beneficial for patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. However, robust evidence supporting this contention is lacking. We examined the hypothesis that vasodilator therapy may be effective in patients diagnosed with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Retrospective cohort study. The Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. A total of 1,837 patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia from July 2010 to March 2018. None. We compared patients who received vasodilator therapy (vasodilator group; n = 161) and those who did not (control group; n = 1,676) using one-to-four propensity score matching. Vasodilator therapy was defined as papaverine and/or prostaglandin E1 administered via venous and/or arterial routes within 2 days of admission. Only patients who did not receive abdominal surgery within 2 days of admission were analyzed. The main outcomes were in-hospital mortality and abdominal surgery performed greater than or equal to 3 days after admission. After propensity score matching, in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the vasodilator group (risk difference, -11.6%; p = 0.005). The proportion of patients who received abdominal surgery at greater than or equal to 3 days after admission was also significantly lower in the vasodilator group (risk difference, -10.2%; p = 0.002). Vasodilator therapy with papaverine and/or prostaglandin E1 is associated with lower in-hospital mortality and prevalence of abdominal surgery in patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.

Optimal treatment strategies for hepatic portal venous gas: A retrospective assessment.

BACKGROUNDHepatic portal venous gas (HPVG) generally indicates poor prognoses in patients with serious intestinal damage. Although surgical removal of the damaged portion is effective, some patients can recover with conservative treatments.AIMTo establish an optimal treatment strategy for HPVG, we attempted to generate computed tomography (CT)-based criteria for determining surgical indication, and explored reliable prognostic factors in non-surgical cases.METHODSThirty-four cases of HPVG (patients aged 34-99 years) were included. Necessity for surgery had been determined mainly by CT findings (i.e. free-air, embolism, lack of contrast enhancement of the intestinal wall, and intestinal pneumatosis). The clinical data, including treatment outcomes, were analyzed separately for the surgical cases and non-surgical cases.RESULTSLaparotomy was performed in eight cases (surgical cases). Seven patients (87.5%) survived but one (12.5%) died. In each case, severe intestinal damage was confirmed during surgery, and the necrotic portion, if present, was removed. Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia was the most common cause (n = 4). Twenty-six cases were treated conservatively (non-surgical cases). Surgical treatments had been required for twelve but were abandoned because of the patients’ poor general conditions. Surprisingly, however, three (25%) of the twelve inoperable patients survived. The remaining 14 of the 26 cases were diagnosed originally as being sufficiently cured by conservative treatments, and only one patient (7%) died. Comparative analyses of the fatal (n = 10) and recovery (n = 16) cases revealed that ascites, peritoneal irritation signs, and shock were significantly more frequent in the fatal cases. The mortality was 90% if two or all of these three clinical findings were detected.CONCLUSIONHPVG related to intestinal necrosis requires surgery, and our CT-based criteria are probably useful to determine the surgical indication. In non-surgical cases, ascites, peritoneal irritation signs and shock were closely associated with poor prognoses, and are applicable as predictors of patients’ prognoses.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia in models with biomarkers including intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in addition to clinical findings: Erratum.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia in models with biomarkers including intestinal fatty acid-binding protein in addition to clinical findings: Erratum.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI): evaluation of 2D-perfusion angiography (2D-PA) for early treatment response assessment

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of 2D-perfusion angiography (2D-PA) for the analysis of intra-procedural treatment response after intra-arterial prostaglandin E1 therapy in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).MethodsOverall, 20 procedures in 18 NOMI patients were included in this retrospective case–control study. To evaluate intra-procedural splanchnic circulation changes, post-processing of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) series was performed. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA; reference), the portal vein (PV; ROIPV), as well as the aorta next to the origin of the SMA (ROIAorta). Peak density (PD), time to peak (TTP), and area under the curve (AUC) were assessed, and parametric ratios ‘target ROIPD, TTP, AUC/reference ROI’ were computed and compared within treatment and control group. Additionally, a NOMI score was assessed pre- and post-treatment compared to 2D-PA.ResultsVasodilator therapy leads to a significant decrease of the 2D-PA-derived values PDAorta (p = 0.04) and AUCAorta (p = 0.03). These findings correlated with changes of the simplified NOMI score, both for overall (4 to 1, p < 0.0001) and for each category. Prostaglandin application caused a significant increase of the AUCPV (p = 0.04) and TTPPV was accelerated without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.13). When compared to a control group, all 2D-PA values in the NOMI group (pre- and post-intervention) differed significantly (p < 0.05) with longer TTPAorta/PV and lower AUCAorta/PV and PD Aorta/PV.Conclusion2D-PA offers an objective approach to analyze immediate flow and perfusion changes following vasodilatory therapies of NOMI patients and may be a valuable tool for assessing treatment response.

Abstract No. 416 Two-dimensional perfusion angiography and its suitability in diagnosing and documenting early treatment response in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia: a retrospective analysis

Evaluation of the feasibility of 2D-perfusion angiography (2D-PA) in assessing the intraprocedural treatment response of the splanchnic vessel territory after vasodilatory therapies in patients suffering from non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI). 19 procedures in 17 NOMI patients (mean age, 60.9 ± 11 years) were included in this retrospective study. We performed postprocessing of the acquired digital subtraction angiography (DSA) series to evaluate flow and perfusion changes after vasodilatory prostaglandin therapy. We placed target regions of interest (ROIs) in the portal vein, the aorta, and a reference ROI in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The peak density (PD), time to peak (TTP) and area under the curve (AUC) were then assessed and the following ratios ‘target ROI (TTP, AUC)/ reference ROI’ computed. Furthermore, the simplified NOMI score was assessed pre- and post-NOMI therapy. Significant changes could be recorded in the individual categories as well as in the overall simplified NOMI score following interventional NOMI therapy (4 to 1, P <0.0001). Both PD and AUC values in the aorta decreased significantly pre- to postinterventionally (PD: P = 0.04; AUC: P = 0.03), while the AUC in the portal vein (PV) was significantly increased (P = 0.04) after prostaglandin application. Though without statistical significance, TTP measured in the PV demonstrated an increase after vasodilator therapy as well (P = 0.13). Our findings are in concordance with the simplified NOMI score. 2D-PA is a suitable method for the analysis of immediate perfusion changes following vasodilatory therapies of NOMI patients and may be a valuable addition to previously published angiographic scoring systems, such as the subjective simplified NOMI score.