Embolism of the superior mesenteric artery. Surgical treatment of 14 patients
Nesi, F.; Rabitti, G.; Creazzo, V.; Di Paola, F.M.; Buonaiuto, L.; Cappelletti, F.
Annali Italiani di Chirurgia 57(2): 165-177
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-469X PMID: 4091352 Document Number: 243350
Problems of timely diagnosis and treatment of embolisms of the superior mesenteric artery were discussed with reference to 14 patients. There should be a greater clinical awareness of the possibility of this embolism in patients with an acute intestinal symptomatology who have an emboligenic cardiopathy. Suspicion of an embolism of the superior mesenteric artery should be clarified with an indirect and selective arteriography executed upon an emergency basis to determine possible multiple embolisms and their locations. Embolectomy should always be implemented using Fogarty's catheter. Embolic disobstruction of a decisively necrotic intestine reduces and better delimits the area to be resectioned. Continued use of anticoagulant therapy in the perioperative and postoperative period is necessary as a preventive measure against embolic and thrombotic complications. Early surgical correction of emboligenic cardiopathy is required.