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Cardiology33 papers

Thrombosis of mesenteric vein

Last edited: 4/22/2026

Overview

Mesenteric vein thrombosis (MVT) is a rare but serious condition characterized by the formation of a blood clot within the mesenteric veins, leading to potential bowel ischemia or infarction. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to improve outcomes 123.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Abdominal distension, vomiting, fever, and nonspecific abdominal pain 14.
  • Imaging:
  • - Ultrasound: Initial diagnostic tool, often revealing thrombosis 12. - CT: Useful for detecting bowel wall edema and mesenteric involvement 16. - MRI: Confirms diagnosis and monitors thrombus resolution 12.
  • Laboratory Tests: Elevated D-dimer levels, prothrombotic disorder screening (protein C, S, antithrombin III deficiencies, factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A mutations) 3711.
  • Endoscopy: Often unrevealing but may show signs of ischemia 7.
  • Management

  • First-Line Treatment:
  • - Anticoagulation: Early initiation with heparin followed by warfarin (INR target 2.0-3.0) 1212. - Thrombolysis: Streptokinase or other thrombolytics for extensive thrombosis 12.
  • Adjunctive Treatments:
  • - Surgical Intervention: Thrombectomy, bowel resection if bowel necrosis is present 1418. - Diagnostic Laparoscopy: To assess intestinal viability and avoid unnecessary resection 6.

    Special Populations

  • Pregnancy: Specific considerations and risks noted but detailed management not extensively covered in abstracts 12.
  • Comorbidities: Prothrombotic disorders (protein S, protein C deficiencies, factor V Leiden mutation) significantly increase risk 3711.
  • Elderly and Pediatrics: Specific management nuances not extensively detailed in provided abstracts 13.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Early Diagnosis and Prompt Anticoagulation: Initiate anticoagulation therapy early to prevent progression and improve outcomes (Evidence: Moderate 12).
  • Imaging Utilization: Utilize ultrasound, CT, and MRI for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of thrombus resolution (Evidence: Moderate 1216).
  • Consider Thrombolysis for Extensive Thrombosis: Use thrombolytic agents in cases of extensive thrombosis to facilitate rapid thrombus dissolution (Evidence: Weak 12).
  • Surgical Evaluation for Necrosis: Perform surgical exploration if signs of bowel necrosis are present to prevent complications (Evidence: Expert opinion 1418).
  • References

    1 Al-Thani H, El-Mabrok J, El-Menyar A, Al-Sulaiti M, Tabeb AH, Hajaji K et al.. Clinical presentation and outcome of mesenteric vein thrombosis: a single-center experience. Angiology 2015. link 2 Grisham A, Lohr J, Guenther JM, Engel AM. Deciphering mesenteric venous thrombosis: imaging and treatment. Vascular and endovascular surgery 2005. link 3 Ağaoğlu N, Mustafa NA, Türkyilmaz S. Prothrombotic disorders in patients with mesenteric vein thrombosis. Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research 2003. link 4 Shinodholimath VV, Gupta A, Chumber S, Srivastava A. Mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis presenting as acute intestinal obstruction. Tropical gastroenterology : official journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation 2003. link 5 Tateishi A, Mitsui H, Oki T, Morishita J, Maekawa H, Yahagi N et al.. Extensive mesenteric vein and portal vein thrombosis successfully treated by thrombolysis and anticoagulation. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2001. link 6 Chong AK, So JB, Ti TK. Use of laparoscopy in the management of mesenteric venous thrombosis. Surgical endoscopy 2001. link 7 Draganov P, Lazarchick J, Portwood G. Mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to protein S deficiency. The American journal of gastroenterology 1999. link 8 Millikan KW, Szczerba SM, Dominguez JM, McKenna R, Rorig JC. Superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy. Report of a case. Diseases of the colon and rectum 1996. link 9 Chen MC, Brown MC, Willson RA, Nicholls S, Surawicz CM. Mesenteric vein thrombosis. Four cases and review of the literature. Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland) 1996. link 10 Eugène C, Valla D, Wesenfelder L, Fingerhut A, Bergue A, Merrer J et al.. Small intestinal stricture complicating superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. A study of three cases. Gut 1995. link 11 Clark DA, Williams WL, Marlar RA. Mesenteric vein thrombosis associated with a familial deficiency of free protein S. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 1991. link 12 al Karawi MA, Quaiz M, Clark D, Hilali A, Mohamed AE, Jawdat M. Mesenteric vein thrombosis, non-invasive diagnosis and follow-up (US + MRI), and non-invasive therapy by streptokinase and anticoagulants. Hepato-gastroenterology 1990. link 13 Roman RJ, Loeb PM. Massive colonic dilatation as initial presentation of mesenteric vein thrombosis. Digestive diseases and sciences 1987. link 14 Ghaly M, Frawley JE. Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery 1986. link 15 Blei A, Dux S, Grosskopf I, Garty M, Rosenfeld JB. Hyperammonemia complicating mesenteric vein thrombosis. The American journal of medicine 1986. link90027-6) 16 Nichols DM. Computed tomography in acute mesenteric vein thrombosis. Journal of computer assisted tomography 1984. link 17 Carr N, Jamison MH. Superior mesenteric venous thrombosis. The British journal of surgery 1981. link 18 Khodadadi J, Rozencwajg J, Nacasch N, Schmidt B, Feuchtwanger MM. Mesenteric vein thrombosis. The importance of a second-look operation. Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 1980. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Clinical presentation and outcome of mesenteric vein thrombosis: a single-center experience.Al-Thani H, El-Mabrok J, El-Menyar A, Al-Sulaiti M, Tabeb AH, Hajaji K et al. Angiology (2015)
    2. [2]
      Deciphering mesenteric venous thrombosis: imaging and treatment.Grisham A, Lohr J, Guenther JM, Engel AM Vascular and endovascular surgery (2005)
    3. [3]
      Prothrombotic disorders in patients with mesenteric vein thrombosis.Ağaoğlu N, Mustafa NA, Türkyilmaz S Journal of investigative surgery : the official journal of the Academy of Surgical Research (2003)
    4. [4]
      Mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis presenting as acute intestinal obstruction.Shinodholimath VV, Gupta A, Chumber S, Srivastava A Tropical gastroenterology : official journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation (2003)
    5. [5]
      Extensive mesenteric vein and portal vein thrombosis successfully treated by thrombolysis and anticoagulation.Tateishi A, Mitsui H, Oki T, Morishita J, Maekawa H, Yahagi N et al. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (2001)
    6. [6]
      Use of laparoscopy in the management of mesenteric venous thrombosis.Chong AK, So JB, Ti TK Surgical endoscopy (2001)
    7. [7]
      Mesenteric vein thrombosis secondary to protein S deficiency.Draganov P, Lazarchick J, Portwood G The American journal of gastroenterology (1999)
    8. [8]
      Superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy. Report of a case.Millikan KW, Szczerba SM, Dominguez JM, McKenna R, Rorig JC Diseases of the colon and rectum (1996)
    9. [9]
      Mesenteric vein thrombosis. Four cases and review of the literature.Chen MC, Brown MC, Willson RA, Nicholls S, Surawicz CM Digestive diseases (Basel, Switzerland) (1996)
    10. [10]
      Small intestinal stricture complicating superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. A study of three cases.Eugène C, Valla D, Wesenfelder L, Fingerhut A, Bergue A, Merrer J et al. Gut (1995)
    11. [11]
      Mesenteric vein thrombosis associated with a familial deficiency of free protein S.Clark DA, Williams WL, Marlar RA Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1991)
    12. [12]
      Mesenteric vein thrombosis, non-invasive diagnosis and follow-up (US + MRI), and non-invasive therapy by streptokinase and anticoagulants.al Karawi MA, Quaiz M, Clark D, Hilali A, Mohamed AE, Jawdat M Hepato-gastroenterology (1990)
    13. [13]
      Massive colonic dilatation as initial presentation of mesenteric vein thrombosis.Roman RJ, Loeb PM Digestive diseases and sciences (1987)
    14. [14]
      Superior mesenteric vein thrombosis.Ghaly M, Frawley JE The Australian and New Zealand journal of surgery (1986)
    15. [15]
      Hyperammonemia complicating mesenteric vein thrombosis.Blei A, Dux S, Grosskopf I, Garty M, Rosenfeld JB The American journal of medicine (1986)
    16. [16]
      Computed tomography in acute mesenteric vein thrombosis.Nichols DM Journal of computer assisted tomography (1984)
    17. [17]
      Superior mesenteric venous thrombosis.Carr N, Jamison MH The British journal of surgery (1981)
    18. [18]
      Mesenteric vein thrombosis. The importance of a second-look operation.Khodadadi J, Rozencwajg J, Nacasch N, Schmidt B, Feuchtwanger MM Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (1980)

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