Acute mesenteric ischemia: endovascular therapy.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is an abdominal emergency with a high mortality. Prompt revascularization can prevent intestinal infarction and reduce mortality. We report three cases of acute occlusive mesenteric ischemia without signs of intestinal necrosis, which were successfully managed with endovascular interventions. Mechanical thrombus fragmentation was performed and underlying chronic stenoses were treated with stent implantation. All the patients had pain relief immediately after the procedure, and none of them required surgery for bowel resection. The patients remained symptom free during a follow-up of 12-16 months. We suggest that endovascular treatment is a feasible option in patients with AMI and can prevent intestinal infarction.