Endovascular Revascularization with Stent Implantation in Patients with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia due to Acute Arterial Thrombosis: Clinical Outcome and Predictive Factors

Predictors of Survival Without Intestinal Resection after First-Line Endovascular Revascularization in Patients with Acute Arterial Mesenteric Ischemia

Background Acute arterial mesenteric ischemia requires emergency treatment and is associated with high mortality rate and poor quality of life. Identifying factors associated with survival without intestinal resection (hereafter, intestinal resection-free [IRF] survival) could help in treatment decision-making after first-line endovascular revascularization. Purpose To identify factors associated with 30-day IRF survival in patients with acute arterial mesenteric ischemia whose first-line treatment was endovascular revascularization. Materials and Methods Patients with acute arterial mesenteric ischemia whose first-line treatment was endovascular revascularization because of a low probability of bowel necrosis were included in this single-center retrospective cohort (May 2014 to August 2022). Patient demographics, laboratory values, clinical characteristics at admission, CT scans, angiograms, and endovascular revascularization-related variables were included. The primary end point was 30-day IRF survival, and secondary end points were 3-month, 1-year, and 3-year overall survival. Factors independently associated with 30-day IRF survival were identified with binary logistic regression. Results A total of 117 patients (median age, 70 years [IQR, 60-77]; 53 female, 64 male) were included. Within 30 days after revascularization, 73 of 117 patients (62%) survived without resection, 28 of 117 (24%) survived after resection, 14 of 117 (12%) died without resection, and two of 117 (2%) underwent resection but died. The 30-day IRF survival was 63% (74 of 117). The 3-month, 1-year, and 3-year mortality rate was 18% (21 of 117), 21% (25 of 117), and 27% (32 of 117), respectively. Independent predictors of 30-day IRF survival were persistent bowel enhancement at initial CT (odds ratio [OR], 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8; P = .013) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level less than 100 mg/L (OR, 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.8; P = .002). The 30-day IRF survival was 86%, 61%, 47%, and 23% in patients with both favorable features, persistent bowel enhancement but CRP level greater than 100 mg/L, no bowel enhancement but CRP level less than 100 mg/L, and both unfavorable features, respectively. Conclusion Independent predictors associated with 30-day IRF survival in patients with acute arterial mesenteric ischemia whose first-line treatment was endovascular revascularization were persistent bowel wall enhancement at initial CT and CRP level less than 100 mg/L. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

The Diagnostic Value of Biomarkers in Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia Is Insufficiently Substantiated: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

There is an urgent need for accurate biomarkers to support timely diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI) and thereby improve clinical outcomes. With this systematic review, the aim was to substantiate the potential diagnostic value of biomarkers for arterial occlusive AMI.

DATA SOURCES

The Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review of the literature has been conducted to define the potential diagnostic value of biomarkers for arterial occlusive AMI. All studies including ≥ 10 patients describing biomarkers for macrovascular occlusive AMI between 1950 and 17 February 2023 were identified within the Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library electronic databases. There were no restrictions to any particular study design, but letters and editorials were excluded. The QUADAS-2 tool was used for the critical appraisal of quality. The study protocol was registered on Prospero (CRD42021254970).

RESULTS

Fifty of 4334 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Ninety per cent of studies were of low quality. A total of 60 biomarkers were identified, with 24 in two or more studies and 15 in five or more studies. There was variation in reported units, normal range, and cut off values. Meta-analysis was not possible due to study heterogeneity. Biomarkers currently recommended by the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery 2016, and World Society of Emergency Surgery 2017 guidelines also had heterogeneous low quality data for use in the diagnosis of AMI.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrates high heterogeneity and low quality of the available evidence on biomarkers for arterial occlusive AMI. No clinical conclusions can be drawn on a biomarker or combination of biomarkers for patients suspected of arterial occlusive AMI. Restraint is advised when rejecting or determining AMI solely based on biomarkers.

Advancements in Revascularization Strategies for Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: A Comprehensive Review

Even with modern advancements in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia over the past decade, morbidity and mortality remain high, and the best primary treatment modality is still debated amongst interventionalists. Traditionally, interventionalists have favored an open surgical approach but are now trending for endovascular interventions due to apparent reduced mortality and complications. Newer studies suggest hybrid approaches, and intestinal stroke centers may be superior to either strategy alone. This narrative review will explore the natural history of acute mesenteric ischemia with the aim of increasing interventionalist awareness of modern advancements in revascularization strategies for this devastating disease.

Strengthening the Description of Superior Mesenteric Artery Occlusions in Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia: Proposition for an Anatomical Classification

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to propose computed tomography angiography (CTA) based anatomical segmentation of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), in order to standardise the reporting of occlusive lesions in acute mesenteric ischaemia (AMI).

METHODS

A retrospective CTA evaluation of patients with occlusive AMI admitted between 2016 and 2021. After the screening of 468 patients, 95 were included. The SMA was segmented into proximal (S1, ostium to the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery), middle (S2, from the inferior pancreaticoduodenal to the ileocolic artery), and distal (S3, downstream the ileocolic artery) sections. The jejunal arteries were labelled J1 to J6, and the middle, right, and ileocolic arteries C1, C2, and C3. Two radiologists independently applied the proposed segmentation to a cohort of patients with occlusive AMI to describe occlusive lesions. Intra- and inter-rater agreement was assessed with kappa statistics.

RESULTS

Occlusions involved one segment in 50 (53%) patients (S1, n = 27 [28%]; S2, n = 12 [13%]; S3, n = 11 [12%]); two segments in 37 (39%) patients (S2/S3, n = 31 [33%]; S1/S2, n = 3 [3%]; S1/S3, n = 3 [3%]); and all three segments in eight patients (S1/S2/S3, 8%). The median number of jejunal arteries was four (interquartile range 3, 4.5). C1 and C2 were present in 93 (98%) and 23 patients (24%), respectively. Almost perfect intra-rater agreement was obtained for S1 (91% agreement, κ = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72 - 0.92); substantial agreement was obtained for S2 (90% agreement, κ = 0.80, 95% CI 0.68 - 0.92) and S3 (86% agreement, κ = 0.72, 95% CI 0.58 - 0.86). Almost perfect inter-rater agreement (with the second junior reading) was obtained for S1 (97% agreement, κ = 0.95, 95% CI 0.89 - 1.0), S2 (91% agreement, κ = 0.82, 95% CI 0.72 - 0.92), and S3 (agreement 96%, κ = 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 - 0.99).

CONCLUSION

A standardised CTA based anatomical segmental description of SMA occlusive lesions in AMI is proposed; it provided substantial to almost perfect intra- and inter-rater agreement for most anatomical segments.

Exploring Outcomes Related to Residential Determinants in Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Patients

INTRODUCTION

To access the relationship between residential status and outcomes in surgical acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) patients.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of 153 AMI patients admitted to our institution between 2007 and 2021. Residential median income and Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) code were used as residential proxies.

RESULTS

Being of the female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 3.116 [1.276-7.609] P = 0.013) and having a vascular intervention performed (OR = 2.927 [1.087-7.883] P = 0.034) were both associated with a threefold increase in the risk of mortality. Increased age (OR = 1.037 [1.002-1.073] P = 0.039), elevated blood urea nitrogen (OR = 1.032 [1.012-1.051] P = 0.001), and living in higher residential income area (OR = 1.049 [1.009-1.091] P = 0.017) had a small, but statistically significant, increased risk of mortality. Patients in higher median income areas were less likely to undergo colonic resection (OR = 0.953 [0.911-0.997] P = 0.038) and tended to have a lower likelihood of receiving an ostomy (OR = 0.963 [0.927-1] P = 0.051). Being from urban or rural areas was not associated with mortality (OR = 1.565 [0.647-3.790] P = 0.321, although rural patients were more likely to undergo colon resection (OR = 2.183 [0.938-5.079] P = 0.070). Furthermore, rural patients were much more likely to be readmitted than urban dwellers (OR = 4.700 [1.022-21.618] P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

AMI patients living in rural or small-town areas were more likely to be readmitted and tended to undergo colonic resection. Patients residing in higher income areas had a slightly higher risk of mortality but tended to be less likely to require ostomy or colonic resection. These findings suggest a potential need for postoperative care initiatives focused on AMI patients living in rural and lower income areas.

Treatment of Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: Individual Challenges for Interventional Radiologists and Abdominal Surgeons

Background: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening condition resulting from occlusion of the mesenteric arterial vessels. AMI requires immediate treatment with revascularization of the occluded vessels. Purpose: to evaluate the technical success, clinical outcomes and survival of patients receiving endovascular treatment for AMI followed by surgery. Material and Methods: A search of our institution’s database for AMI revealed 149 potential patients between 08/2016 and 08/2021, of which 91 were excluded due to incomplete clinical data, insufficient imaging or missing follow-up laparoscopy. The final cohort included 58 consecutive patients [(median age 73.5 years [range: 43−96 years], 55% female), median BMI 26.2 kg/m2 (range:16.0−39.2 kg/m2)]. Periinterventional imaging regarding the cause of AMI (acute-embolic or acute-on-chronic) was evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. The extent of AMI and the degree of technical success was graded according to a modified TICI (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction scale) score (TICI-AMI) classification (0: no perfusion; 1: minimal; 2a < 50% filling; 2b > 50%; 2c: near complete or slow; 3: complete). Lab data and clinical data were collected, including the results of follow-up laparoscopy. Non-parametric statistics were used. Results: All interventions were considered technically successful. The most common causes of AMI were emboli (51.7%) and acute-on-chronic thrombotic occlusions (37.9%). Initial imaging showed a TICI-AMI score of 0, 1 or 2a in 87.9% (n = 51) of patients. Post-therapeutic TICI-AMI scores improved significantly with 87.9% of patients grade 2b and better. Median lactate levels reduced from 2.7 (IQR 2.0−3.7) mg/dL (1−18) to 1.45 (IQR 0.99−1.90). Intestinal ischemia was documented in 79.1% of cases with resection of the infarcted intestinal loops. In total, 22/58 (37.9%) patients died during the first 30 days after intervention and surgery. According to CIRSE criteria, we did not observe any SAE scores of grade 2 or higher. Conclusions: AMI is a serious disease with high lethality within the first 30 days despite optimal treatment. However, interventional revascularization before surgery with resection of the infarcted bowel can save two out of three of critically ill patients.

Reperfusion injury on computed tomography following endovascular revascularization of acute mesenteric ischemia: prevalence, risk factors, and patient outcome

BACKGROUND

Data about reperfusion injury (RI) following acute arterial mesenteric ischemia (AAMI) in humans are scarce. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of RI following endovascular revascularization of AMI and evaluate its impact on patient outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with AAMI who underwent endovascular revascularization (2016-2021) were included in this retrospective cohort. CT performed < 7 days after treatment was reviewed to identify features of RI (bowel wall hypoattenuation, mucosal hyperenhancement). Clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatments were compared between RI and non-RI patients to identify factors associated with RI. Resection rate and survival were also compared.

RESULTS

Fifty patients (23 men, median 72-yrs [IQR 60-77]) were included, and 22 were diagnosed with RI (44%) after a median 28 h (22-48). Bowel wall hypoattenuation and mucosal hyperenhancement were found in 95% and 91% of patients with post-interventional RI, respectively. Patients with RI had a greater increase of CRP levels after endovascular treatment (p = 0.01). On multivariate analysis, a decreased bowel wall enhancement on baseline CT (HR = 8.2), an embolic cause (HR = 7.4), complete SMA occlusion (HR = 7.0), and higher serum lactate levels (HR = 1.4) were associated with RI. The three-month survival rate was 78%, with no difference between subgroups (p = 0.99). However, the resection rate was higher in patients with RI (32% versus 7%; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

RI is frequent after endovascular revascularization of AAMI, especially in patients who present with decreased bowel wall enhancement on pre-treatment CT, an embolic cause, and a complete occlusion of the SMA. However, its occurrence does not seem to negatively impact short-term survival.

Single-centre experience in the endovascular treatment of acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion: an observational analytical 3-year study

Purpose

To retrospectively evaluate single-centre experience in endovascular therapy (EVT) of acute superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion by assessing technical success, mortality, and its dependence on the level and aetiology of occlusion.

Material and methods

Eighty patients presented with acute SMA occlusion and underwent EVT at our centre from 2018 to 2020. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography angiography (CTA). Based on findings of CTA and digital subtraction angiography, we classified all cases by the number of SMA large branches that remained non-occluded (ostial, proximal, distal occlusion), as well as according to aetiology (embolic, thrombotic). Technical success was evaluated according to restoration of blood flow to the SMA stem and all large branches (successful, partially successful, failure).

Results

Thrombotic aetiology was identified in 25.0% and embolic in 75.0% of patients. We distinguished 3 occlusion level types: ostial occlusion (23.8%), proximal occlusion (47.5%), and distal occlusion (28.7%). 67.5% of cases were technically successful, 12.5% were partially successful, and 20.0% resulted in technical failure. The 30-day mortality rate was 55.0%. EVT technical success did not statistically depend on the aetiology or on the level of occlusion. The aetiology of occlusion had no statistical significance regarding intrahospital mortality. In the group with EVT failure, fewer non-occluded large branches meant more fatal cases, and vice versa.

Conclusions

Despite EVT technical success rates being adequate, mortality rates remain extremely high. While the occlusion level appeared to have no influence over EVT technical success rates, it may be a potentially useful prognostic factor in the case of failed recanalization. Aetiology of the occlusion seemed to have no impact on technical success or mortality.

Basic demographic characteristics and prevalence of comorbidities in acute mesenteric ischemia: a systematic review and proportional meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine and assess the basic demographic characteristics and prevalence of comorbidities in acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and its various subtypes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted by using the databases PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar (to June 1, 2022). Random-effects or fixed-effects models were selected to pool means and proportions and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), based on heterogeneity between studies. The results of meta-analyses for basic demographic characteristics and prevalence (proportions) of each specific comorbidities of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) and its various subtypes were described.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis, including 17,103 patients with AMI. Furthermore, 7941 patients with subclass diagnoses of AMI were identified, including 3,239 patients with arterial occlusive mesenteric ischemia (AOMI), 2,977 patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), and 1,725 patients with mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT). As a surgical emergency, AMI is associated with older patients and a high likelihood of multisystem comorbidities. Comorbidities of AMI involved multiple systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, endocrine and metabolic diseases, kidney diseases, digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, vascular diseases, and cancer.

CONCLUSION

The basic demographic characteristics and the prevalence of comorbidities of different subtypes of AMI are different. The management of comorbidities should be an essential part of improving the prognosis of AMI patients and may contribute to precise prevention of AMI.

Prognostic Factors for Mortality in Acute Mesenteric Ischemia

Postoperative mortality in patients undergoing surgical and/or interventional treatment for acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) has remained an unsolved problem in recent decades. Here, we investigated clinical predictors of postoperative mortality in a large European cohort of patients undergoing treatment for AMI. In total, 179 patients who underwent surgical and/or interventional treatment for AMI between 2009 and 2021 at our institution were included in this analysis. Associations between postoperative mortality and various clinical variables were assessed using univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Most of the patients were diagnosed with arterial ischemia (AI; n = 104), while venous ischemia (VI; n = 21) and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI; n = 54) were present in a subset of patients. Overall inhouse mortality was 55.9% (100/179). Multivariable analyses identified leukocytes (HR = 1.08; p = 0.008), lactate (HR = 1.25; p = 0.01), bilirubin (HR = 2.05; p = 0.045), creatinine (HR = 1.48; p = 0.039), etiology (AI, VI or NOMI; p = 0.038) and portomesenteric vein gas (PMVG; HR = 23.02; p = 0.012) as independent predictors of postoperative mortality. In a subanalysis excluding patients with fatal prognosis at the first surgical exploration (n = 24), leukocytes (HR = 1.09; p = 0.004), lactate (HR = 1.27; p = 0.003), etiology (AI, VI or NOMI; p = 0.006), PMVG (HR = 17.02; p = 0.018) and intraoperative FFP transfusion (HR = 4.4; p = 0.025) were determined as independent predictors of postoperative mortality. Further, the risk of fatal outcome changed disproportionally with increased preoperative lactate values. The clinical outcome of patients with AMI was determined using a combination of pre- and intraoperative clinical and radiological characteristics. Serum lactate appears to be of major clinical importance as the risk of fatal outcome increases significantly with higher lactate values.

Coeliac artery and splenic artery thrombosis complicated with splenic infarction 7 days following the first dose of Oxford vaccination, causal relationship or coincidence?

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 became a global pandemic in late 2019, and is still ongoing in 2021 causing significant morbidity and mortality. The advent of vaccinations heralded the turning of the tide. The Oxford jab, a vector-based vaccine was favoured due to its low cost and ease of storage. However, its potential association with thromboembolic adverse events resulted in controversy and disrupted its roll-out and use. The aetiopathogenesis of these thromboembolic events and its association with the Oxford vaccine are still speculative and uncertain, more so in the background of SARS-CoV-2 infection being highly thrombogenic in its own right. This paper presents a case of an otherwise healthy 50-year-old Caucasian man who developed acute abdominal pain 7 days following the first dose of Oxford vaccine and was found to have coeliac and splenic artery thrombosis complicated with splenic infarction.