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Clinical course of mesenteric artery stenosis in elderly americans.

TitleClinical course of mesenteric artery stenosis in elderly americans.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsWilson, DB, Mostafavi, K, Craven, TE, Ayerdi, J, Edwards, MS, Hansen, KJ
JournalArch Intern Med
Volume166
Issue19
Pagination2095-100
Date Published2006 Oct 23
ISSN0003-9926
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Cohort Studies, Comorbidity, Female, Humans, Male, Mesenteric Arteries, Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion, Proportional Hazards Models, Prospective Studies, Radiography, Risk Factors, Surveys and Questionnaires, Ultrasonography
Abstract<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>To examine prospectively the relationship between stenosis or occlusion of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries and symptoms of chronic intestinal ischemia in free-living elderly patients in the United States.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>As part of an ancillary study to the Cardiovascular Health Study, participants in the Forsyth County (North Carolina) cohort underwent visceral duplex ultrasonography of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries. Critical mesenteric artery stenosis (MAS) or occlusion was defined by Doppler flow ultrasound-derived criteria. Clinical outcomes were assessed at annual follow-up examinations and review of death certificates. Multivariate associations between the presence of MAS and all-cause mortality and adverse cardiovascular events were analyzed. Participants with MAS were contacted to determine the presence of symptoms consistent with chronic intestinal ischemia.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Of 553 participants who underwent visceral duplex ultrasonography, 97 (17.5%) had disease of the celiac or superior mesenteric artery. At a mean follow-up of 6(1/2) years, 20 participants with MAS (20.6%) and 93 without MAS (20.4%) had died (relative risk, 1.01; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.55). No deaths were attributed to intestinal infarction. No association existed between the presence of MAS and prevalent cardiovascular disease, all-cause mortality, or adverse cardiovascular events. A questionnaire was completed by 71% of the surviving participants with MAS. No participant reported symptoms or weight loss consistent with chronic intestinal ischemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>Mesenteric artery stenosis was a common finding in free-living elderly patients. At long-term follow-up, the presence of asymptomatic MAS was not associated with death or adverse cardiovascular events. Participants with asymptomatic MAS by duplex ultrasonographic criteria did not experience intestinal infarction or develop chronic intestinal ischemia.</p>
DOI10.1001/archinte.166.19.2095
Alternate JournalArch Intern Med
PubMed ID17060539
Grant List1R01DK47414 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-15103 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-35129 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85079 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01-HC-85086 / HC / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States