Abnormalities in the sequence of filling and emptying of mesenteric arteries and veins: a guide to ischemic disease of the bowel.

Functional abnormalities in the sequence of filling and emptying of mesenteric arteries and veins may indicate significant disease of the bowel which is not associated with identifiable structural alterations in the blood vessels. In three patients, focal ischemic damage to the bowel was associated with significantly delayed arterial emptying, delayed or absent filling and emptying of mesenteric veins or a combination of both. Evaluation for sequential filling and emptying of vessels proved most helpful since an abnormal pattern may represent the only angiographic abnormality indicative of intestinal infarction.