Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis Overview
Learn About Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis
Mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) is a blood clot in one or more of the major veins that drain blood from the intestine. The superior mesenteric vein is most commonly involved.
MVT
MVT is a clot that blocks blood flow in a mesenteric vein. There are two such veins through which blood leaves the intestine. The condition stops the normal blood circulation of the intestine and can result in damage to the intestine.
The exact cause of MVT is unknown. However, there are many diseases that can lead to MVT. Many of the diseases cause swelling (inflammation) of the tissues surrounding the veins, and include:
- Appendicitis
- Cancer of the abdomen
- Diverticulitis
- Liver disease with cirrhosis
- High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the liver
- Abdominal surgery or trauma
- Pancreatitis
- Inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Heart failure
People who have disorders that make the blood more likely to stick together (clot) have a higher risk for MVT and include:
- Protein C or S deficiencies
- Polycythemia vera
- Essential thrombocythemia
Birth control pills and estrogen medicines also increase risk.
MVT is more common in men than women. It mainly affects middle aged or older adults.
Symptoms may include any of the following:
- Abdominal pain, which may get worse after eating and over time
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fever
- Septic shock
- Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
- Vomiting and nausea
Blood thinners are used to treat MVT when there is no associated bleeding. In some cases, medicine can be delivered directly into the clot to dissolve it. This procedure is called thrombolysis.
Less often, the clot is removed with a type of surgery called thrombectomy.
If there are signs and symptoms of a severe infection called peritonitis, surgery to remove the injured part of the intestine is done. After surgery, an ileostomy (opening from the small intestine into a bag on the skin) or colostomy (an opening from the colon into the skin) may be needed.
Portsmouth Radiological PA
Aaron Bos is an Interventional Radiologist in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dr. Bos has been practicing medicine for over 14 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. His top areas of expertise are Ascites, Thyroid Nodule, Varicose Veins, Liver Embolization, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Bos is currently accepting new patients.
Appledore Medical Group Inc
Alexander Geller is an Internal Medicine provider in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dr. Geller and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. His top areas of expertise are Necrosis, Pneumonia, Emphysema, Ureteroscopy, and Hip Replacement. Dr. Geller is currently accepting new patients.
Philip Abraham is an Internal Medicine provider in Kittery, Maine. Dr. Abraham and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. His top areas of expertise are Viral Gastroenteritis, Diarrhea, Colitis, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy. Dr. Abraham is currently accepting new patients.
The outlook depends on the cause of the thrombosis and any damage to the intestine. Getting treatment for the cause before the intestine has died can result in a good recovery.
Intestinal ischemia is a serious complication of MVT. Part or all of the intestine dies because of poor blood supply.
Contact your health care provider if you have severe or repeated episodes of abdominal pain.
Summary: The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the use of a machine learning-based algorithm and point-of-care D-dimer to laboratory D-dimer and compression ultrasound to exclude deep vein thrombosis in the under extremities in patients referred to a medical department suspected of having deep vein thrombosis. The main aim is to answer are if a machine learning algorithm and point of care D-dimer c...
Summary: The purpose of this study is to confirm the safety and efficacy of the ThinkSono Guidance System, a software data collection and communication tool designed to collect ultrasound data to help detect blood clots in veins. The ThinkSono system is CE Mark approved in the European Union and in clinical use in Europe. Usually, when an ultrasound is conducted to diagnose blood clots in veins, a sonograp...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Cloud A, Dussel JN, Webster-Lake C, Indes J. Mesenteric ischemia. In: Yeo CJ, ed. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 87.
Feuerstadt P, Brandt LJ. Intestinal ischemia. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 118.
Roline CE, Reardon RF. Small intestine. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 78.
Schafer AI. Approach to the patient with bleeding or thrombosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 157.