as performed by passing a catheter from the femoral artery in the groin up through the abdominal aorta and into the arteries supplying blood to the intestines. (In some cases, the catheter was introduced into the brachial artery in the arm and passed downward through the aorta.) A balloon was inflated to expand a large bare metal stent, which was left in place to prop open the artery at the site of the blockage.

Angioplasty and stenting were successful in 96 percent of patients, without major complications. More than 90 percent of patients reported relief of abdominal pain, and a similar percentage reported gaining weight. Fifteen patients (19 percent) later developed renarrowing of the stented artery. Of these, 3 were treated medically and 12 (92 percent) had repeat procedures to reopen the artery, including laser treatment in 8. At 1 year, 91 percent of patients were alive and free of symptoms. Two- and 3-year symptom-free survival rates were 88 percent and 82 percent, respectively.

Dr. Allie said that greater awareness and early diagnosis are critical. "We now have the tools for minimally invasive treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia," he said. "Patients and physicians need to know that this condition exists, is common, and is often confused with other conditions of the digestive tract."

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Contact: Kathy Boyd David
kbdavid@scai.org
717-422-1181
Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions
11-May-2007

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