Joachim Weil1, Robin Sen Gupta, Hans Herfarth. 1. Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Klinikum, Universität Regensburg, 93042 Regensburg, Germany. joachim.weil@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is a rare but serious disorder with a high mortality rate; causal factors include cardiac glycosides, digoxin, and digitoxin in addition to severe hypotension, decompensated heart failure, and septic shock. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a patient with digitoxin intoxication who died from autopsy-confirmed ischemic gangrenous colitis. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent occurrence of intoxication with cardiac glycosides nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is a rare event. However, it should always be included as a differential diagnosis of diffuse abdominal pain in patients treated with cardiac glycosides.
BACKGROUND: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is a rare but serious disorder with a high mortality rate; causal factors include cardiac glycosides, digoxin, and digitoxin in addition to severe hypotension, decompensated heart failure, and septic shock. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a patient with digitoxin intoxication who died from autopsy-confirmed ischemic gangrenous colitis. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent occurrence of intoxication with cardiac glycosides nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia is a rare event. However, it should always be included as a differential diagnosis of diffuse abdominal pain in patients treated with cardiac glycosides.
Authors: Samuel A Käser; Tara C Müller; Anna Guggemos; Ulrich Nitsche; Christoph Späth; Christoph A Maurer; Klaus-Peter Janssen; Jörg Kleeff; Helmut Friess; Dirk Wilhelm; Franz G Bader Journal: BMC Surg Date: 2015-03-21 Impact factor: 2.102