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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of intestinal ischemia can include:
- Death of intestinal tissue. If blood flow to your intestine is completely and suddenly blocked, intestinal tissue can die. If this life-threatening situation occurs, surgery is needed to clear the blockage and to remove the portion of the intestine that has died. After removing damaged intestinal tissue, your surgeon may be able to connect the healthy parts of the intestine together. If that's not possible, your surgeon may need to perform a procedure called an ostomy. In this procedure, the surgeon creates an opening in your abdomen to pull a section of your intestine to the surface. A pouch is then attached to this opening, and your waste is expelled into the pouch.
- Scarring or narrowing of your colon. Sometimes the intestines can recover from ischemia, but as part of the healing process the body forms scar tissue that narrows or blocks the intestines. This may require surgery to remove the damaged portion of your intestine. The healthy portions of your intestine may be connected. Or a surgical opening (ostomy) may be created that allows you to expel waste through the opening.
References
- Brandt LJ, et al. Intestinal ischemia. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed May 17, 2010.
- Hauseer SC. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201609212-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed May 17, 2010.
- Tendler DA, et al. Acute mesenteric ischemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Tendler DA, et al. Chronic mesenteric ischemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
- Atherosclerosis. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Atherosclerosis/Atherosclerosis_All.html. Accessed May 21, 2010.
- Catheter angiography. RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiocath. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- CT angiography (CTA). RadiologyInfo.org. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angioct. Accessed May 19, 2010.
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