Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In summary, we report two cases of mesenteric ischemia following cocaine abuse in young women. In such cases it is always difficult to prove a direct causal relationship between the abuse of cocaine and mesenteric ischemia. Both our patients were relatively young (in their thirties) and did not have any history of atherosclerosis, and their urine toxicity screens were positive for the use of cocaine. Cocaine-related hospital visits are on the increase. Mesenteric ischemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a young patient with a history of cocaine abuse presenting with an acute abdomen.
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PMID:Mesenteric ischemia secondary to cocaine abuse: case reports and literature review. 917 33

Patients with HIV or AIDS frequently present with GI symptoms, sometimes due to early and diffuse atherosclerosis. We report 3 cases of HIV patients with abdominal pain due to severe splanchnic arterial stenosis. Only one patient presented typical clinical findings of mesenteric ischemic. Endovascular treatment was performed in all three cases. Good clinical outcome was immediate in 2 cases. In the third case, subsequent bowel resection was required due to irreversible ischemic injury in spite of local thrombolysis and endovascular revascularization in a patient presenting with acute severe mesenteric ischemia. In all three cases, vascular patency was demonstrated at follow-up. Mesenteric ischemia is a severe complication requiring early diagnosis in HIV patients, especially those with vascular risk factors, especially since endovascular treatment is a valid therapeutic option.
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PMID:[Role of endovascular treatment of symptomatic splanchnic artery stenoses in HIV patients: report of three cases]. 1930 7

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder that affects multiple organs. While the clinical manifestations may vary in intensity over time and be associated with chronic disease, occasional cases occur where sudden and unexpected death has occurred. Cardiovascular disease is common, with accelerated atherosclerosis, intravascular thrombosis associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, and hypertensive cardiomegaly. Vasculitis with superimposed thrombosis may result in critical reduction in blood to vital organs, such as the heart and brain with infarction. Mesenteric ischemia may be caused by vasculitis, thrombosis, and accelerated atherosclerosis and may result in lethal intestinal infarction. Other diverse causes of sudden death include myocarditis, epilepsy, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, and sepsis. The autopsy evaluation of such cases requires careful examination of all organs with extensive histological sampling to include blood vessels, and microbiological sampling for bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
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PMID:Lethal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in a forensic context. 2130 76

Mesenteric ischemia is classified as either acute or chronic. The former is a life-threatening emergency in which a sudden reduction in intestinal blood flow may ultimately result in bowel infarction. The most common causes are arterial embolism, arterial thrombosis, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia, and mesenteric venous thrombosis. A high index of suspicion, early diagnosis and rapid intervention are necessary so that normal mesenteric perfusion is restored before fatal bowel infarction can occur. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is usually caused by stenotic or occlusive disease involving the proximal segments of the mesenteric arterial supply to the bowel, usually as a result of atherosclerosis. Intestinal angina is the classic presentation, defined as recurrent postprandial abdominal pain that subsides in 1 to 2 hours, with associated weight loss and aversion to food. When combined with the clinical presentation, physical examination, and laboratory data, imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis of either acute or chronic mesenteric ischemia. Recognition of pertinent imaging findings and various treatment options may aid in preventing the serious and possibly fatal sequelae that may occur in cases of mesenteric ischemia.
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PMID:Mesenteric ischemia. 2132 62

Chronic Mesenteric ischemia is an episodic hypoperfusion of small intestine due to atherosclerotic narrowing of mesenteric vessels. Typically, patients report postprandial epigastric pain. The association of abdominal pain with eating results in fear of eating and weight loss. Some patients present atypically with nausea, vomiting and/or GI bleeding likely from gut ischemia. We present here a case of 67-yearold male with history of COPD, Coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation presented with hematemesis and black stools for one day. Patient reports no abdominal pain or weight loss. He was dizzy and nauseous. He was vitally stable and physical exam including abdominal exam was unremarkable except for the rectal exam which revealed black stools. Investigations revealed Haemoglobin of 16.1 and hematocrit of 45, WBCs of 34000 with 83% neutrophils and bicarbonate of 20. Patient underwent EGD for localizing the site of bleeding and showed stomach lumen completely filled with thrombus which prevented the accurate assessment if gastric mucosa. Repeat EGD was recommended and it revealed gangrenous appearing gastritis throughout with multiple clean ulcers which raised the suspicion of vascular compromise. CT angiography abdomen revealed complete proximal occlusion of Superior Mesenteric artery and near complete occlusion of celiac artery. He underwent successful SMA bypass from left iliac to mid SMA with PTFE graft. Symptoms of mesenteric ischemia can be non-specific and can mimic other aetiologies. Clinicians should consider this diagnosis in elderly patient with risk factors of atherosclerosis as early diagnosis reduces complication associated with serious life-threatening disease.
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PMID:Gangrenous Gastritis: Unusual Cause Of Upper Gi Bleeding. 3193 27