A CASE OF ACUTE EMBOLISM OF THE SUPERIOR MESENTERIC ARTERY SUCCESSFULLY SAVED BY REMOVAL OF THROMBUS ABOUT 21 HOURS AFTER THE ONSET

• Published in: Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association) Vol. 64; no. 9; pp. 2175 - 2178
• Main Authors: TANAKA, Shuji, HONMA, Hideyuki, KIHARA, Hajime
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Surgical Association 2003
• ISSN: 1345-2843; 1882-5133
• DOI: 10.3919/jjsa.64.2175

A 67-year-old man under treatment for atrial fibrillation abruptly presented with upper abdominal pain. Selective angiography of the superior mesenteric artery disclosed occlusion of the main trunk near the bifurcation of middle colic artety. Acute embolism of the superior mesenteric artery was diagnosed and the thrombus was removed about 21 hours after the onset of the disease. After the blood flow was resumed, remarkable remission of ischemia of the intestine was attained and the patient's life was successfully saved without intestinal resection. Acute embolism of the superior mesenteric artery is a serious disease with a high mortality even in these days which demands prompt diagnosis and treatment. This paper deals with a successful vascular reconstruction which saved the life of the patient who had about 21-hour history of acute embolism of the superior mesenteric artery, together with a review of the literature.