Overview
Chronic ischemic enterocolitis is a condition characterized by reduced blood flow to the intestines, leading to inflammation and damage. This can result in malabsorption, pain, and weight loss.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically based on clinical suspicion, often in patients with risk factors for mesenteric ischemia.
Imaging studies such as CT angiography or MR angiography may be used to assess blood flow to the intestines.Management
Nutritional support is a cornerstone of management.
Enteral nutrition (EN) via oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or tube feeding (TF) can help maintain or increase nutritional intake when oral intake is inadequate 1.
Frequent small amounts of ONS are preferred to avoid postprandial dyspnea and satiety and to improve compliance 1.
In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), EN in combination with exercise and anabolic pharmacotherapy may improve nutritional status and function 1.Key Recommendations
Enteral nutrition (EN) by means of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or tube feeding (TF) enables nutritional intake to be maintained or increased when normal oral intake is inadequate 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
In COPD patients, EN in combination with exercise and anabolic pharmacotherapy has the potential to improve nutritional status and function 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Frequent small amounts of ONS are preferred in order to avoid postprandial dyspnea and satiety as well as to improve compliance 1. (Evidence: Expert opinion)References
1 Anker SD, John M, Pedersen PU, Raguso C, Cicoira M, Dardai E et al.. ESPEN Guidelines on Enteral Nutrition: Cardiology and pulmonology. Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) 2006. link