Mesenteric Artery Disease
Narrowing or Blockage of Mesenteric Arteries
Mesenteric artery disease — also called mesenteric artery ischemia, mesenteric vascular disease, chronic mesenteric ischemia, and acute mesenteric ischemia — is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of your mesenteric arteries. These three arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to your small and large intestines.
Chronic or Acute Condition
Mesenteric ischemia can be either chronic or acute. Chronic means that the condition has been occurring over a relatively long period of time. Acute disease indicates that symptoms start abruptly and become very serious in a short period of time. Acute mesenteric artery disease is a serious situation and calls for immediate medical care. Chronic mesenteric ischemia can progress without warning to acute mesenteric ischemia.
