Acute mesenteric ischaemia.

To identify any differences in presentation among the four types of acute mesenteric ischaemia, and to correlate time between presentation and treatment with outcome, we retrospectively analysed 100 cases of acute mesenteric ischaemia at a University hospital diagnosed by radiography (n = 21), at laparotomy (n = 61), or at necropsy (n = 18). A total of 68 patients died. Mortality was 50% when the aetiology was embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and 95% when the occlusion was thrombotic; 67% when the disease was "non"-occlusive; and 30% in cases of splanchnic vein thrombosis. We conclude that early diagnosis is critical for successful management of acute mesenteric ischaemia, but outcome is also influenced by the aetiology.