[Mesenteric ischemia. Surgical epidemiology--when to take it into consideration?].

Diagnostic and therapeutic treatment modalities have developed over the last few years. However, the mortality rate of mesenteric ischemia is still high. The incidence amounts to 2-4 patients in 100,000 inhabitants. This is due to the fact that disturbances in the blood circulation of the intestine are not recognized early enough. While clinical symptoms are different during the acute and chronic course of mesenteric ischemia, the diagnostic and therapeutic consequences are similar. In order to decrease the mortality rate, it is important to keep mesenteric ischemia in mind when confronted with abdominal pain in elderly patients. This is particularly important as life expectancy in the western population is increasing.