Treatments
Re-Open the Blocked Artery
Treating mesenteric artery disease in either a chronic or acute setting involves re-opening the blocked artery to allow enough blood from to reach your intestines so they can work properly. This must be done before permanent bowel damage occurs, so sometimes it is needed to be done on an emergency basis, particularly if it is deemed an acute case.
Angioplasty (with or without stenting)
In this procedure, your interventional cardiologist inflates a small balloon at the tip of a catheter inserted inside your narrowed mesenteric artery. When the balloon is inflated, it pushes the plaque to the sides of the artery, allowing an opening sufficient for blood to flow through. Your surgeon may insert a tiny wire mesh tube to help keep the artery open.
Surgical Treatments
Trans-Aortic Endarterectomy
Your surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen and then removes the plaque contained in the inner lining of the blocked artery.
Bypass Surgery
Your surgeon creates a bypass or detour artery to go around the blocked section of artery. Your surgeon can use one of your own veins or create a vessel made of man-made materials. The bypass is surgically attached above and below the blocked area.