Mesenteric ischemia risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Feham Tariq, MD [2]

Risk factors causing mesenteric ischemia can be divided based on the underlying etiology. Conditions that pose a significant risk to the development of mesenteric ischemia include the interruption of blood flow through the artery or vein supplying the small intestine (e.g thromboembolism) or reduction of blood supply (e.g. vasoconstriction). Also, there are certain life-style related risk factors which predominantly cause mesenteric ischemia in the older age group.

• The following conditions pose a significant risk towards the development of mesenteric ischemia either by interrupting the blood flow through the artery or vein supplying the small intestine (e.g.thromboemboli) or by reducing the blood supply (e.g. vasoconstriction). Also, there are certain life-style related risk factors which predominantly cause mesenteric ischemia in the older age group.^[1][2][3]

• Venous thrombosis is more frequently seen in women and arterial thrombosis is more commonly seen in men.^[4][5]

• Mesenteric ischemia is more prevalent in women as compared to males.^[6]

Common risk factors in the development of mesenteric ischemia include:

(a) Embolic causes:^[1]

• Atrial fibrillation
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Valvular heart diseases
• Infective endocarditis
• Recent myocardial infarction
• Ventricular aneurysm
• Aortic atherosclerosis
• Aortic aneurysm

(b) Thrombotic causes:^[2]

• Advanced age
• Low cardiac output states
• Traumatic injury
• Peripheral artery disease

• Heart failure
• Aortic insufficiency
• Septic shock
• Vasoconstrictive drugs (e.g. Digoxin, alpha-adrenergic agonists)
• Cocaine abuse or ergot poisoning
• Hemodialysis