Rare acute mesenteric artery embolism

Abstract

Mesenteric artery embolism is a rare and urgent acute abdominal emergency, which is difficult to be diagnosed early and claims a very high mortality rate. Two rare cases of acute mesenteric artery embolism are reported. A 43-year-old man with history of rheumatic heart disease suffered from vomiting and diarrhea, no severe abdominal pain. Adjuvant therapy failed to relief the symptoms. Angiography revealed superior mesenteric artery emboli. Another 66-year-old man suffered from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. 3D CT angiography indicated embolism of inferior mesenteric artery. These cases suggest that angiography should be considered early in suspected patients with acute mesenteric artery embolism.