Nonocclusive mesenteric infarction in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Identifying survival protective factors for chronic dialysis patients with surgically confirmed acute mesenteric ischemia

BACKGROUND

Mesenteric ischemia is significantly more common in end-stage kidney disease patients undergoing chronic dialysis than in the general population and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, reports on prognostic factors in this population are limited.

AIM

To elucidate the in-hospital outcomes of acute mesenteric ischemia in chronic dialysis patients and to analyze protective factors for survival.

METHODS

The case data of 426 chronic dialysis patients who were hospitalized in a tertiary medical center for acute mesenteric ischemia over a 14-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Of these cases, 103 were surgically confirmed, and the patients were enrolled in this study. A Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the protective factors for survival.

RESULTS

The in-hospital mortality rate among the 103 enrolled patients was 46.6%. Univariate analysis was performed to compare factors in survivors and nonsurvivors, with better in-hospital outcomes associated with a surgery delay (defined as the time from onset of signs and symptoms to operation) < 4.5 d, no shock, a higher potassium level on day 1 of hospitalization, no resection of the colon, and a total bowel resection length < 110 cm. After 1 wk of hospitalization, patients with lower white blood cell count and neutrophil counts, higher lymphocyte counts, and lower C-reactive protein levels had better in-hospital outcomes. Following multivariate adjustment, a higher potassium level on day 1 of hospitalization (HR 1.71, 95%CI 1.19 to 2.46; P = 0.004), a lower neutrophil count (HR 0.91, 95%CI 0.84 to 0.99; P = 0.037) at 1 wk after admission, resection not involving the colon (HR 2.70, 95%CI 1.05 to 7.14; P = 0.039), and a total bowel resection length < 110 cm (HR 4.55, 95%CI 1.43 to 14.29; P = 0.010) were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

A surgery delay < 4.5 d, no shock, no resection of the colon, and a total bowel resection length < 110 cm predicted better outcomes in chronic dialysis patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis complicated with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia

Peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritonitis is a common complication of PD. Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a rare complication of PD-related peritonitis, has a high mortality rate, and therefore should be detected early once it occurs. We describe a case of a 70-year-old woman on PD presented with moderate abdominal pain and low blood pressure, which contributed to the early diagnosis of PD-related peritonitis complicated with NOMI. Increased white cell count of 7150/μL (neutrophil, 84%) in dialysate effluent was diagnostic of PD-related peritonitis, which was later found to be caused by Pseudomonas putida. Computed tomography with contrast performed after administering crystalloids revealed hepatic portal venous gas, pneumatosis intestinalis in the ascending colon, and normal enhancement of the bowel wall and mesenteric arteries, which suggested a reperfusion of the previously ischemic ascending colon. Colonoscopy on hospital day seventeen revealed mucosal hemorrhage and ulcers in the entire right colon and the terminal ileum while the remaining colon was normal. These findings are compatible with the consequence of NOMI. Increased peak systolic velocity of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) implied its stenosis. Past studies show that ischemia of the colon in patients with chronic kidney disease commonly occurs in the right colon. Arteriosclerosis of the SMA due to the long history of chronic kidney disease and diabetes might have caused its vulnerability to low blood pressure. Abdominal complications including NOMI should be screened for when a patient presents with low blood pressure and strong abdominal pain. This is the first case report that shows colonoscopy images of the colonic ulcers post-NOMI and PD-related peritonitis.

Nonocclusive Mesenteric Ischemia: A Lethal Complication in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a relatively uncommon disorder, seen primarily in elderly patients with cardiac disease, and is characterized by progressive intestinal ischemia leading to infarction, sepsis, and death. It is suspected of being the underlying cause in at least 20% – 30% of acute mesenteric ischemia patients.

End-stage renal disease patients are among the highest risk populations for developing this lethal complication; however, NOMI is not unique to hemodialysis and can occur in peritoneal dialysis patients as well. Unfortunately, the presentation of NOMI is very similar to that of peritonitis. The key to correct diagnosis is a high index of suspicion in predisposed patients. The high mortality rate is a clear reflection of failure to recognize the syndrome at an earlier, treatable stage.

We present our case experience and an extensive review of the literature regarding this dreadful complication that may be reversible if considered early as a possible etiology and the appropriate diagnostic maneuvers undertaken.

Mesenteric ischemia masquerading as refractory peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

We report two cases of mesenteric ischemia in patients on long term peritoneal dialysis both of which were associated with poor outcomes. Both were diabetic and on peritoneal dialysis for a long time. On evaluation of refractory peritonitis we found evidence of non occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Despite adequate treatment both succumbed to their illness. Abdominal pathology, especially mesenteric ischemia leading to gut infarction, should be considered in patients with refractory peritonitis.

Ischaemic enteritis in a patient with chronic renal failure: diagnosis and management decisions

Ischaemic enteritis is rare in patients with chronic renal failure not on dialysis. Here we report a case of ischaemic enteritis in an 81-year-old woman with chronic renal failure secondary to hypertension (not dialysis dependent) who presented with acute onset of abdominal pain, non-bloody diarrhoea and subsequent oliguria. The abdominal CT with angiography showed diffuse segmental wall thickening and decreased perfusion of the long segment of the ileum, with decreased enhancement of the vessels that supply the distal ileum. The clinical diagnosis of ischaemic enteritis was made. The patient responded initially to total parenteral nutrition and intravenous antibiotics. After the initiation of haemodialysis, because of the oliguria, the ischaemic enteritis progressed to bowel infarction, and an open laparotomy was performed. This report illustrates some of the difficult therapeutic decisions in a patient with ischaemic enteritis and chronic renal failure.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in chronically dialyzed patients: a disease with multiple risk factors

BACKGROUND

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) can be a fatal complication in dialysis patients. Intradialytic hypotension is usually the precipitating factor. The occurrence of 16 cases in 5 years (1998-2002), compared with only 4 in previous years, led us to investigate other risk factors contributing to NOMI. A control group of stable hemodialysis patients was used for comparison.

RESULTS

20 patients were studied: 17 diagnosed surgically, and 3 clinically. The mean age was 70.8 +/- 1.8 years, and the male:female ratio 7:13. Nineteen patients were on hemodialysis. Clinically overt atherosclerosis was present in 17 patients. Preceding dialysis-associated hypotension was identified in all patients studied and access thrombosis in 6 patients. In all patients, abdominal pain was the presenting symptom. Initial abdominal examination was unimpressive in 16 patients. The hemoconcentration, leukocytosis and metabolic acidosis were the most prominent laboratory findings. 5/11 abdominal sonograms showed intestinal pathology. 2/3 angiographies were diagnostic. Three patients responded to early fluid challenge and did not require surgery. Pathology was related to the area of the superior mesenteric artery in all 15 patients operated. Twelve (60%) patients died from the event. The 1-year mortality rate was 17/20 patients (85%). Possible contributing factors, other than dialysis-associated hypotension, included: high-dose recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy (179 +/- 35 vs. 116 +/- 10 U/kg/week in the control group, p < 0.05); metastatic calcifications (abdominal aorta 14/14, aortic valve 11/18; medial calcification of mesenteric arteries in 2/11 pathology specimens); digoxin, and hypoalbuminemia.

CONCLUSIONS

The increased incidence of NOMI in dialysis patients may be related to overly aggressive rhEPO therapy and the unsuspected presence of mesenteric arterial medial calcifications. Identification of patients at risk, prevention of intradialytic hypotension and a controlled increase in dry weight may help to reduce the incidence of NOMI in chronically dialyzed patients.

Mesenteric ischaemia in haemodialysis patients: a case/control study

BACKGROUND

Mesenteric ischaemia is not uncommon in dialysis patients and seems to have been increasing in the last decade. However, the risk factors for mesenteric ischaemia are unclear and prognosis of patients after this type of ischaemic accident is not well defined.

METHODS

From January 1988 to June 1999, 15 haemodialysis patients (0.3% per patient-year) from a single institution presented with mesenteric ischaemia and the clinical, biological and radiological aspects of the ischaemia were described. To identify risk factors for mesenteric ischaemia, each ischaemic patient (case) was matched with two other haemodialysis patients not having ischaemia (controls). Survival curves were then established for the two groups.

RESULTS

A marked hypotensive episode was present in seven out of 15 case patients (47%) during dialysis sessions that preceded mesenteric ischaemia. Abdominal pain, guarding, fever and hyperleucocytosis were all present in 13 out of 15 patients (87%). An abdominal computerized tomography scan with opaque enema enabled a rapid diagnosis for six patients. The caecum was the most frequently (47%) affected segment. Twelve patients were surgically treated and the remaining three were given medical support. The two groups (case and control) were not different in cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidity, administered drugs or main haemodialysis characteristics. The median survival of the case group was 600 days, whereas 80% of the control group survived beyond this period (P=0.0132). Eleven case patients survived >3 months after mesenteric ischaemia and had a median survival of 1500 days, which was identical to their matched control patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Mesenteric ischaemia should be systematically suspected in patients experiencing abdominal pain during or after dialysis sessions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment usually allow for a favourable prognosis.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis and non-occlusive mesenteric infarction found at autopsy in a man who had undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a histochemical and immunohistochemical study

This is a report of a post-mortem histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical examination of a rare case of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) and non-occlusive mesenteric infarction (NOMI), two serious complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), with which a man suffering hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver cirrhosis for 7 years and trauma-induced paraplegia for 50 years had been treated for 1 year. The direct cause of death was encephalopathy caused by extreme hyperammonemia (11 250 microg/dL in serum). The autopsy revealed that the SEP had drastically reduced the length of the small intestine to 210 cm, 180 cm of which presented acute ischemic enteritis with Gram-negative bacterial infection. Histological examination of the SEP revealed that the exterior was composed of normal serosal elastic lamina, but with a cocoon-like appearance remarkably thickened by fibrosis to 3-8 times that of the normal subserosal layer and consisting of spindle cells and blood vessels, with some infiltration of mast cells and lymphocytes. The immunohistochemical examination of the spindle cells revealed few AE1/AE3(+) cells, HHF35(+) cells, and CD34(+) cells, many CD117(+) cells with slight proliferative activity based on MIB-1 positivity (proliferation index <1%), but no CD44(+) cells. It was concluded that either the few CD34(+) and/or the many CD117(+) cells were mesenteric stem cells that had originated from the serosa, proliferated, then differentiated into myofibroblasts or fibroblasts, producing collagen and hyaluronic acid in the matrix, leading to the gradual formation of the SEP, which was induced by the continual irritation of CAPD.

Nonocclusive mesenteric infarction in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Dialysis patients develop nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) at an increased rate. Previous studies have associated atherosclerosis and hemodialysis-induced hypotension as inciting factors for NOMI development. A retrospective review of 29 of 1,370 longterm hemodialysis patients who developed NOMI from January 1992 to December 1997 was performed. The NOMI patients were compared with a similar profile of hemodialysis patients to identify risk factors for the development of NOMI and for outcomes assessment.

STUDY DESIGN

All NOMI patients had hypotensive episodes during hemodialysis the week before the development of abdominal symptoms, and additional risk factors of hypertension (83%), diabetes (55%), and atherosclerosis (38%). The majority of patients (83%) experienced abdominal pain more than 24 hours before admission. Sixty-six percent of patients had leukocytosis on admission laboratory data.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (55%) had ischemia of the small bowel, all underwent laparotomy, and nine (56%) died. Thirteen patients (45%) had ischemia of the colon and were managed nonoperatively; four (31%) of them died. Overall mortality rate for NOMI was 45%.

CONCLUSIONS

NOMI occurs at an increased rate in hemodialysis patients. Identification of patients at high risk for NOMI and dose monitoring of filtration rates may impact on the high mortality of this disease.