Primary Stenting of the Superior Mesenteric Artery for Treatment of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia

Abstract

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been well described in the treatment of mesenteric artery stenoses but has met with limited success in ostial lesions. The authors describe a case of a 79-year-old woman diagnosed with chronic mesenteric ischemia associated with a 22-pound weight loss and postprandial pain. The celiac axis and inferior mesenteric artery were occluded. A high-grade, calcified stenosis was present in the proximal superior mesenteric artery. This was treated with primary stent placement using a Palmaz stent deployed from an axillary approach. A brief discussion of mesenteric ischemic and visceral artery PTA is included.