Mesenteric artery stenosis is a condition where the arteries that bring blood to the intestines are blocked or narrow. This is usually caused by a buildup of plaque on the artery wall, but it can also be caused by a blood clot or injury to the area.
Symptoms
You may not have symptoms at first. Later symptoms of mesenteric artery stenosis include:
- Sudden and severe belly pain
- Belly pain that starts about 30 minutes after eating and goes away within one to three hours
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Urgent need for a bowel movement
- Weight loss
Treatments
Mesenteric artery stenosis caused by a clot or other sudden blockage of blood flow needs immediate surgery.
If your condition develops over time, your doctor might suggest angioplasty, where they use a balloon to open the narrowed area and put in a stent to keep it open.
Risk Factors
Things that can increase your risk of mesenteric artery stenosis include:
- Atrial fibrillation
- Congestive heart failure
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Age
- Artery diseases
- Recent vascular surgery
Departments and Programs Who Treat This Condition
department
Vascular Medicine Center
A center providing vascular care, including diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as peripheral artery disease, aneurysms, and blood vessel disorders, with coordinated servi…
department
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
A program within the Vascular Medicine Center providing vascular and endovascular surgery, including diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as aneurysms, peripheral artery di…