MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ischemic colitis

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Ischemic colitis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Alternative names Return to top

Colonic ischemia

Definition Return to top

Ischemic colitis involves an area of inflammation (irritation and swelling) caused by interference with the blood flow to the large intestine.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Interference with blood flow to the colon is the cause of ischemic colitis. The disorder mainly affects people over 50, many of whom have a history of peripheral vascular disease. Other risk factors include:

Previous aortic surgery with inadvertent damage to the artery supplying the colon
History of stroke
Low blood pressure
Congestive heart failure
Diabetes
Abdominal radiation exposure

Symptoms Return to top

Abdominal pain
Fever
Vomiting
Bright red blood via the rectum (blood in the stool)
Diarrhea

Signs and tests Return to top

Colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy showing inflamed mucosa or ulcers in the colon
Angiography showing a vascular (blood vessel) lesion

Treatment Return to top

Mild, transient ischemic colitis is treated by maintaining good blood pressure. This can be done with medicines and avoiding dehydration. Antibiotics are sometimes used.

Chronic ischemic colitis leading to stricture formation is treated by surgical removal of the stricture.

Severe ischemic colitis leading to gangrene is treated with replacement of blood volume, antibiotics, and surgical removal of the affected bowel area.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most cases of ischemic colitis are mild, self-limited, and do not require therapy. The death rate is high when gangrene occurs as a result of inadequate blood supply.

Complications Return to top

Gangrene of the bowel
Perforation (hole in the intestine)
Peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the abdomen)
Sepsis

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if symptoms of ischemic colitis develop.

Prevention Return to top

Awareness of risk may allow early diagnosis and treatment. Absolute prevention may not be possible.

Update Date: 5/14/2004

Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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