Occlusive Disease

Atherosclerotic disease (blocked or diseased arteries) is generally found in the over 65 age group, however it does occur in younger age groups. Risk factors for occlusive disease include smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol and a family history of atherosclerosis.

Aorto-iliac occlusive disease is a common finding in middle age and elderly patients. The symptoms involve intermittent pain (claudication) of muscles in the thigh, hip, buttock and calf. Often the symptoms are misdiagnosed as muscle strain. Noninvasive tests are particularly useful in definitive diagnosis, inexpensively and with high degree of accuracy.

Duplex scanning is particularly useful for identifying the extent of blockage, as well as determining the degree of disability a patient may be suffering, determined by the distance to claudication an the time to recovery. A normal study virtually excludes significant blockage while an abnormal test result helps the doctor to plan disease management. Further, these tests can help to classify the plaque and distinguish the amount of artery narrowing and accurately locate the disease site for determination of surgical treatment.

Mesenteric Arterial System Diseases
There are several diseases that can affect the mesenteric and celiac arterial system that supplies blood to the stomach, liver, and intestines.

Who is at risk?
• Smokers
• Patients with high cholesterol
• Patients over the age of 60

Mesenteric Arterial Occlusive Disease
Mesenteric ischemia can occur actually in association with embolization or more chronically with progression of atherosclerotic of the celiac, superior, and or inferior mesenteric arteries. Ischemia occurs when your blood cannot flow through your arteries as well as it should.

Acute occlusion can result in extensive intestinal ischemia or intestinal gangrene. Such cases require urgent surgical intervention.

Signs and Symptoms
• Sudden severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Chronic occlusion has a slower and more progressive course.

Signs and Symptoms
• Abdominal pain after eating (normally 15 – 60 minutes after eating)
• Occasionally diarrhea
• Significant weight loss

Celiac Compression Syndrome
This is also referred to as celiac axis syndrome. This is abdominal pain related to compression of the celiac artery by fibers of the median arcuate ligament and is more common in young women.

Signs and Symptoms
• Abdominal pain after eating
• Weight loss
• Abdominal bruit (whooshing sound) on examination