Ischaemic bowel disease

Intestinal ischaemia can be classified into three types: acute mesenteric ischaemia, chronic mesenteric ischaemia, and colonic ischaemia. Acute mesenteric ischaemia may also be further subdivided into embolic mesenteric ischaemia, thrombotic mesenteric ischaemia, and venous mesenteric ischaemia. Colonic ischaemia is the most common type and has the most favourable prognosis.

It may present clinically in a number of ways, including transient reversible ischaemia, chronic irreversible ischaemia, or acute fulminant ischaemia.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis may lead to acute or subacute intestinal ischaemia and may also present across a spectrum of severity.

Long-term complications of ischaemic bowel disease depend on the location and nature of the underlying pathology. Possible complications include stricture formation, short bowel syndrome, and food fear leading to malnutrition.

Ischaemic bowel disease encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders caused by acute or chronic processes, arising from occlusive or non-occlusive aetiologies, which result in decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical course may range from transient and reversible to fulminant.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Histopathology of intestinal ischaemiaFrom the collection of Dr Jennifer Holder-Murray; used with permission [Citation ends].