Role of duplex Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of patients with postprandial abdominal pain.

In 10 patients with postprandial abdominal pain thought likely to be the result of mesenteric ischaemia Doppler ultrasound examinations of the superior mesenteric and coeliac arteries were performed both after fasting and a standard meal of 800 kcal. Compared with control values Doppler waveform analysis suggested seven abnormal vessels. Two patients had abnormal fasting superior mesenteric artery waveforms manifested by very high peak systolic velocities together with spectral broadening (one also had evidence of coeliac artery stenosis), and one patient had normal velocities but an abnormal signal and evidence of proximal superior mesenteric stenosis was supported by colour Doppler imaging and confirmed by angiography. Postprandially, two patients showed very high peak systolic and end diastolic velocities in the superior mesenteric artery (one had had a normal fasting waveform signal) and one in the coeliac artery, suggestive of vascular stenosis, while one patient showed a fall in peak systolic velocity. The diagnosis of mesenteric ischaemia in two of these patients was supported by digital subtraction angiography and abdominal computed tomography. Doppler ultrasound may be a useful non-invasive investigation for patients with postprandial abdominal pain that helps to select patients for angiography. Patients with tight vascular stenosis may have abnormal fasting Doppler waveform patterns but in symptomatic patients further information may be obtained after the haemodynamic stress of feeding. Additional information to enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of the test may be obtained by colour Doppler imaging.     

Small bowel ischaemia in Fabry's disease

Abstract A patient with previously diagnosed Fabry's disease and a long history of post-prandial abdominal pain died following small bowel infarction. Post-mortem demonstrated Fabry's type deposits in the small vessels and nerves supplying the bowel but in addition, a localized atheromatous stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. In retrospect, his terminal illness and possibly his chronic symptoms were related to the latter finding. Angioplasty to the superior mesenteric artery may have been of benefit. Mesenteric angiography should be considered in patients with chronic post-prandial pain because large vessel disease may coexist with other a priori pathologies and is imminently treatable.     

Endovascular stent implantation in the coeliac and superior mesenteric arteries in the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia

Mesenteric ischemia is a rare but serious cause of abdominal pain.We present the case of a man who had symptomatic mesenteric ischemia, secondary to a superior mesenteric artery stenosis in conjunction with a coeliac artery stenosis. He was treated with balloon angioplasty and stent insertion, and showed good symptomatic improvement.     

Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Rare Cause of Chronic Abdominal Pain

Background

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is a rare disease with nonspecific clinical symptoms, such as chronic postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss. Diagnostic modalities and revascularization techniques have evolved during the past 20 years. The significance of stenosis in a single splanchnic vessel remains unclear. Our aims were to assess the outcomes of 2 revascularization techniques and report on the diagnostic modalities of splanchnic vessel stenoses.

Methods

The demographic data, medical history, technical characteristics, and outcomes of the revascularization procedures were recorded for all of the patients admitted for endovascular revascularization or open surgical revascularization of the splanchnic vessels as treatment for chronic mesenteric ischemia in our tertiary referral center since 2000.

Results

Fifty-four patients were included in this study: 43 received endovascular revascularization, and 11 had open surgical revascularization. The symptoms were abdominal pain, weight loss, and diarrhea in 98%, 53%, and 25% of the cases, respectively. Computed tomography angiography was the key diagnostic tool for 60% of the patients. A single-vessel stenosis was found in one-third of the patients. Endovascular and open revascularization had similar early and late outcomes, and no 30-day mortality was observed. However, we did observe higher morbidity in the open revascularization group (73% vs 19%, P <.03).

Conclusions

Chronic mesenteric ischemia may be diagnosed in the presence of a splanchnic syndrome and stenosis of a single splanchnic vessel, typically assessed using computed tomography angiography. In selected patients, endovascular revascularization had similar efficacy as, and lower complication rates than open revascularization.     

Treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty

A 79-yr-old man with previously documented atherosclerotic vascular disease presented with acute abdominal pain, signs of peritoneal irritation, and guaiac-positive stool. A mesenteric arteriogram showed high-grade stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery with a pressure gradient of 70 mmHg and complete occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the superior mesenteric artery was performed with immediate reduction of the pressure gradient, increase in vessel caliber, and relief of abdominal pain. The patient went on to complete recovery and remains pain-free 6 mo after discharge from the hospital. To our knowledge, this is the first report of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty used to treat acute mesenteric ischemia.     

Chronic mesenteric ischemia

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is an unusual but important cause of abdominal pain. Although this condition accounts for only 5% of all intestinal ischemic events, it can have significant clinical consequences. Among its many causes, atherosclerotic occlusion or severe stenosis is the most common. This disorder has an indolent course that results in extensive collateral vascular formation. Thus, symptoms occur when at least two of the three main splanchnic vessels are affected. Intestinal angina, weight loss, and sitophobia are common clinical features. Diagnosis can often be made by noninvasive methods such as computerised axial tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, and duplex ultrasonography as well as by invasive catheter angiography. Therapy of chronic mesenteric ischemia depends on the extent and location of vascular disease. Alternatives to traditional surgical bypass are becoming more common including embolectomy, thrombolysis, and percutaneous angioplasty with vascular stenting. Early intervention is vital as the natural course of this illness can be debilitating. Furthermore, this has potential to develop into life-threatening acute mesenteric ischemia with subsequent bowel infarction and death. Long-term studies have shown that the risk of developing symptoms from asymptomatic but significant mesenteric vascular disease is 86% with overall 40% mortality rate. The recognition and management of this unusual but important cause of abdominal pain is discussed in detail in this review.     

Lethal nature of ischemic gastropathy: a case report of celiomesenteric vascular insufficiency

Celiomesenteric ischemia has an insidious onset and the non-specific symptoms are often misdiagnosed as cholecystitis or peptic ulcer disease with a consequential delay between the onset of symptoms and radiological evidence of vascular occlusive disease. A elderly man was hospitalized after a 2–3 week history of acute abdominal pain, frequent vomiting, and chronic diarrhea associated with bloody stools. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a cobblestone gastric pattern with multiple ulcerated areas and the specimens indicated focal full thickness coagulative necrosis of the mucosa. A magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed a widespread and severe atheromatous disease characterized by a hemodynamically significant stenosis of the celiac tripod, pre-occlusive stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery and complete occlusion of the inferior mesenteric artery. MRA is now the best and most accessible noninvasive examination to help establish a diagnosis, providing high-quality three-dimensional images of the celiac axis and mesenteric arteries. However, the various features observed in this case such as the clinical history, the presence of a cobblestone pattern with multiple ulcerated areas in the stomach, the coagulative-type necrosis and ischemic atrophy of the adjacent mucosa were considered diagnostic of gastric ischemia.     

Chronic splanchnic ischaemia

Chronic splanchnic ischaemia is a relatively unusual clinical entity consisting of pain and/or weight loss and caused by chronic splanchnic disease (i.e. stenosis and/or occlusion of the coeliac and superior mesenteric artery). The occlusive disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis and is in itself not rare in older individuals. Extensive collateral circulation can develop between the three splanchnic arteries and may compensate for the decreased splanchnic perfusion over time. The pathophysiology of chronic splanchnic ischaemia has still not been completely elucidated.A reliable diagnosis of chronic splanchnic ischaemia, based on a proven causal relationship between the occlusive disease and the symptoms, can be very difficult. Traditionally, tests for evaluating the haemodynamic consequences of the vascular stenoses were not available. Important improvements in establishing a more reliable diagnosis have been achieved with duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance evaluation of the splanchnic circulation. Tonometry is another promising functional test that may prove useful not only for gaining greater insight into the pathophysiology of chronic splanchnic ischaemia but also for the clinical evaluation of this syndrome.The natural history of chronic splanchnic disease suggests that progressive disease may result in acute mesenteric ischaemia. Surgical reconstruction of the coeliac and/or the superior mesenteric artery is the therapeutic standard with excellent short and long-term results. Satisfactory early results using angioplasty with or without stent suggest that this type of intervention may relieve symptoms in selected patients with a higher surgical risk.     

冠心病患者中肾动脉狭窄的发病情况

目的：了解冠心病病人中肾动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的发病情况。方法：对280例诊断或疑及冠心病的患者做冠状动脉（冠脉）造影的同时行肾动脉造影。结果：多因素Logistic回归分析提示：冠心病,高血压及肾功能不全与肾动脉狭窄显著相关,并且冠心病和高血压合并存在时对肾动脉狭窄的发生率具有显著的交互效应（P＜0．05）。冠脉单支病变,双支病变,三支病变组中分别有15．3％,17．1％,25．4％,存在肾动脉狭窄,冠脉三支病变组肾动脉狭窄的发生率明显高于其他两组（P＜0．05）。结论：冠心病常与肾动脉狭窄同时存在,尤其在冠脉三支病变时肾动脉狭窄的发生率更高。冠心病、高血压及肾功能不全与肾动脉狭窄显著相关,无明显慢性肾炎史而存在肾功能不全的患者可能提示存在肾动脉狭窄。     

12导联动态心电图ST段压低诊断冠心病的价值

目的探讨24h12导联动态心电图ST段压低诊断冠心病的临床意义。方法将163例12导联动态心电图检查有缺血性ST段压低伴或不伴典型胸痛患者分为两组（A组ST段压低伴典型胸痛者88例，B组ST段压低不伴典型胸痛或无症状者75例），并与冠状动脉造影进行对比分析。结果A组88例冠状动脉造影明显狭窄79例，其中单支病变44例，双支病变25例，3支病变10例，而B组75例冠状动脉造影明显狭窄15例。以冠状动脉造影阳性为标准，A组对冠心病的诊断阳性率为89．77％，特异性为80．00％，准确度为85．28％。而B组阳性率仅为20．00％，两组阳性率差异有非常显著性意义（χ^2=80．75，P〈0．01）。结论12导联动态心电图检查缺血性ST段压低伴有典型胸痛，诊断冠心病的价值要优于仅有ST段改变者，前者阳性率和准确度较高，具有重要的临床应用价值。     

Exercise ultrafast computed tomography for the detection of coronary artery disease

Ultrafast computed tomography permits the assessment of global and regional left ventricular function during exercise. To evaluate the feasibility of using this new technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, 27 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for diagnosis of chest pain were evaluated. Fifteen patients had significant (greater than 50%) coronary artery stenosis by quantitative coronary angiography. One vessel disease was found in 12 patients and multivessel disease in 3. Fourteen (93%) of the 15 patients with significant coronary stenosis had a decrease in ultrafast computed tomographic ejection fraction during exercise from (mean +/- SD) 65 +/- 7% to 60 +/- 7% (p less than 0.001). The tomographic ejection fraction increased greater than 5% units during exercise in 10 (83%) of the 12 patients with normal coronary arteries. The mean tomographic ejection fraction in this group was 68 +/- 6% at rest and 75 +/- 6% at peak exercise (p less than 0.001). Regional wall motion was quantified by analyzing the segmental ejection fraction of 12 30 degree pie segments at each tomographic level of the left ventricle. A new regional wall motion abnormality developed during exercise in 12 (86%) of 14 patients with coronary artery disease; one patient was excluded because of a technical problem in data storage. Eleven (93%) of the 12 patients with normal coronary arteries had normal wall motion during exercise. In no patient with ischemic heart disease were both variables, ejection fraction response and regional wall motion, normal. Exercise ultrafast computed tomography appears to be a useful technique for the evaluation of coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain and predominant single vessel coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Incidence of Renal Artery Stenosis in Hypertensive Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography

To assess the frequency of renal artery stenosis in patients with hypertension and/or renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography, screening abdominal aortography was performed in 118 patients with a history of hypertension and/or renal insufficiency. Single plane cine abdominal angiography was performed immediately following routine coronary angiography utilizing 20–40 mL of 76% renografin. Abdominal angiography was adequate for interpretation in 116 and 118 (98%) patients. One hundred and two patients had hypertension, two had renal insufficiency, and 12 patients had hypertension and renal insufficiency. Renal artery stenosis (> 50%) was present in 27 of 116 patients (23%); 18 of 102 (18%) hypertensive patients, and 9 of 14 (67%) renal insufficiency patients. Significant renal artery stenosis was present in 22 of 76 (29%) patients with significant coronary artery disease while only 5 of 40 (10%) patients without coronary artery disease had significant renal artery stenosis. There were 10 small kidneys, five in association with renal artery stenosis; one in a patient with hypertension but without renal artery stenosis or renal insufficiency; four (two pairs) in patients with renal insufficiency but no renal artery stenosis. In conclusion: (1) significant renal artery stenosis was identified in 23% of patients with hypertension and/or renal insufficiency suggesting that more vigorous consideration of renal artery stenosis may be appropriate in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease, and (2) abdominal angiography in conjunction with coronary angiography appears to be a useful screening test for renal artery stenosis in patients with hypertension and/or renal insufficiency.     

Crohn's disease associated with Takayasu's arteritis

A 26-year-old woman with Crohn's disease presented with increase of her abdominal pain, abdominal fremitus and decrease in peripheral pulses. The CT scan and the angiography revealed occlusive stenosis of several arteries: left subclavian, celiac, renal, superior mesenteric and abdominal aorta. This findings were consistent with Takayasu's arteritis. The patient underwent surgical revascularization to bypass the occlusive lesions in celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, and the stenosis in abdominal aorta. Subsequent controls showed that she remains free of cardiovascular symptoms three years after surgery but presents progression of her inflammatory bowel disease.     

Chronic mesenteric ischemia and therapeutic paradigm of mesenteric revascularization

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening clinical problem resulting in death from inanition and/or bowel infarction, if left untreated, albeit low disease prevalence. Typical presentation is postprandial abdominal pain, severe weight loss, and altered bowel habit. Surgical revascularization of the superior mesenteric artery provides effective long-term treatment for chronic intestinal ischemia. Eleven patients underwent superior mesenteric artery revascularization, nine of them with open retrograde superior mesenteric artery bypass and two with angioplasty and stenting. All patients except one made a satisfactory recovery in this cohort. Major complication included one graft thrombosis leading to bowel ischemia and death. The rest all recovered weight in 3–6 months with a follow up period of 6 to 28 months. Two patients had recurrence of symptoms due to failing bypass requiring stenting for assisted primary patency. Superior mesenteric artery revascularization can be performed with minimal morbidity and mortality, providing excellent symptom relief and quality of life.     

Stenting of a superior mesenteric artery lesion via the right arm approach

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is rare and commonly presents with abdominal pain and weight loss. Treatment options are limited to surgical or endovascular revascularization. In this report we describe in detail successful stent-supported angioplasty of a high-grade superior mesenteric artery stenosis utilizing a right brachial artery approach. A brief review of the literature is provided.     

锝-氮-氮欧乙替心肌灌注显像对冠心病的诊断评价

目的评价锝-氮-氮欧乙替（^99mTc-N—NOET）心肌灌注显像检测冠心病的价值。方法对42例临床疑诊冠心病患者,行^99mTc-N-NOET运动负荷和再分布心肌灌注显像,所有患者行冠状动脉造影检查。结果在42例患者中,26例冠状动脉造影显示有冠状动脉狭窄病变,其中单支病变10例,二支病变7例,三支病变9例.^99mTc-N-NOET心肌显像检出心肌缺血或心肌梗死21例,未检出异常5例;16例冠状动脉造影正常患者,^99mTc-N-NOET心肌显像正常14例,异常2例.^99mTc-N-NOET心肌灌注显像诊断冠心病的敏感性为81％、特异性为88％、阳性预测值91％,阴性预测值74％,预测准确性为83％。诊断单支、二支和三支冠状动脉病变的敏感性分别为60％（6／10）、86％（6／7）、100％（9／9）。42例均无干扰心肌分辨的肺、肝重度摄取增高者。15min运动负荷显像肺脏摄取高,尤以冠状动脉狭窄患者增高明显。结论 ^99mTc-N-NOET心肌灌注显像检测冠心病敏感性、特异性较高,早期显像肺摄取增加与有意义的冠状动脉病变有关。     

血清脂蛋白(a)与冠脉病变程度及心肌梗死的关系

目的研究血清脂蛋白（a）[Lp（a）]浓度与冠心病患者冠脉病变程度及心肌梗死发生的关系。方法选取行冠脉造影检查者384例作为研究对象，根据冠脉病变支数分为正常对照组、单支病变组、双支病变组、三支病变组，根据诊断分为正常对照组、心绞痛组、心肌梗死组，比较各组血清Lp（a）浓度。结果单支病变组、双支病变组、三支病变组的血清Lp（a）浓度均显著高于对照组（P〈0．05，〈0．01），但三组内比较差异没有统计学意义。心绞痛组、心肌梗死组血清Lp（a）浓度亦均显著高于对照组（P〈0．01），心绞痛组和心肌梗死组相比差异亦有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。Lp（a）与冠脉病变Gensini积分明显相关（偏相关系数r=0．143，P〈0．01）。结论血清Lp（a）浓度与冠心病冠状动脉病变程度成正相关，且与心肌梗死的发生密切相关。     

Exertion isotope tests in coronary insufficiency. Comparison with isotopic ventriculography and myocardial scintigraphy

Very few studies have been described comparing the value of exercise myocardial scintigraphy and left ventricular angioscintigraphy. The authors designed a study comparing these two investigations with conventional exercise stress testing and coronary angiography. The isotopic investigations were carried out within 48 hours of coronary angiography. A total of 143 patients undergoing coronary angiography (35 normal, 108 coronary patients: 36 single vessel, 36 double vessel and 36 triple vessel disease) were included in this study. The lesions were located of the LAD (77 cases), left circumflex (77 cases) and right coronary arteries (62). The sensitivity and specificity of both radionuclide investigations were evaluated to assess their diagnostic value; the best results were obtained with myocardial scintigraphy (sensitivity 86 p. 100; specificity 100 p. 100); angioscintigraphy had a sensitivity of 71 p. 100 and specificity of 97 p. 100, and conventional exercise stress testing of 42 p. 100 and 70 p. 100 respectively. The sensitivity seemed to increase with the degree of stenosis; although the sensitivity of myocardial scintigraphy increased progressively, that of angioscintigraphy doubled in cases of stenosis 90 p. 100 (stenosis less than 90 p. 100, sensitivity = 37 p. 100; stenosis greater than 90 p. 100, sensitivity = 73 p. 100). The sensitivity of myocardial scintigraphy with respect to the severity of the coronary artery disease was best in cases of right coronary artery stenosis (sensitivity in cases of RCA stenosis = 74 p. 100; sensitivity in LAD stenosis = 58 p. 100; sensitivity in left circumflex stenosis = 43 p. 100). The sensitivity of left ventricular angioscintigraphy was best in LAD stenosis (RCA stenosis = 50 p. 100, LAD stenosis = 64 p. 100, left circumflex stenosis = 36 p. 100). The sensitivity of both investigations was poor in left circumflex artery stenosis even when severely diseased. The sensitivity of both investigations was better in diffuse coronary artery disease: myocardial scintigraphy (single vessel disease: 72 p. 100, double vessel disease: 92 p. 100, triple vessel disease: 94 p. 100), left ventricular angioscintigraphy (61 p. 100, 69 p. 100, and 83 p. 100 respectively). Although the association of these two radioisotopic investigations does not improve diagnostic sensitivity, it does provide more information about the localisation and extension of the coronary artery disease especially in LAD and right coronary artery stenosis. These results suggest that these investigations are complementary in the evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Intestinal angina due to atherosclerosis in a 45-year-old systemic lupus erythematosus patient

We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed progressive emaciation and postprandial abdominal pain with a 27-year history of corticosteroid treatment. The patient was diagnosed as having intestinal angina based on computed tomography that showed severe stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in addition to complete occlusion of the celiac and inferior mesenteric arteries. Histopathology of the SMA and abdominal aorta showed atherosclerosis with no vasculitis or thrombus formation. Intestinal angina should actively be considered as a possible cause of recurrent abdominal pain in SLE patients, particularly in those with a long history of disease.     

Aneurysms of the Coeliac Trunk: a Case Report

Aneurysms of the coeliac axis are rare. Up to 1997 only 137 cases had been reported. A case of CAA in a 46-year-old woman is reported. The patient complained of epigastric pain and the aneurysm was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography, three-dimensional CT angiography and intra-arterial DSA. Aneurysmectomy, ligation of the splenic and left gastric artery, splenectomy and direct anastomosis of the common hepatic artery to the coeliac remnant was performed trans-abdominally. A postoperative CT angiogram showed normal arterial flow. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.