OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics of mesenteric arterial embolism (MAE) and mesenteric arterial thrombosis (MAT), and to clarify the diagnosis and treatment status of MAE and MAT in China.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of 111 cases suffering from MAE or MAT was performed. Data of these cases were collected from Chinese Journal Full-text Database from 1994 to 2006.

RESULTSThere were 61 cases (54.9%) with MAE and 50 cases (45.1%) with MAT. Fifty-two patients (46.8%) had arterial fibrillation. Ninety-seven cases (87.4%) were diagnosed by exploratory laparotomy or autopsy, and 14 cases (12.6%) by imageology. Embolism or thrombosis in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) accounted for 92.8%, 4.5% in SMA plus inferior mesenteric artery. 15.2%(14/92) necrosis were located in jejunum or ileum, 39.1%(36/92) in jejunum and ileum, 38.0%(35/92) in jejunum, ileum and colon. Thrombolysis or anticoagulation in artery were operated in 7 cases(6.3%). Extraction of embolism or thrombosis in operation were implemented in 18 cases(16.2%). Intestinal resection were finished in 76 cases(68.5%). Sixty-eight patients (61.3%) were misdiagnosed. Sixty-three cases (60.6%) died.

CONCLUSIONThe manifestation of MAE or MAT is quite complicated and changeable, so that many cases are misdiagnosed. The clinic and image characteristics of MAE and MAT have not been well known by doctors.