Mesenteric Venous ThrombosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
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.
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Samuel Goldhaber is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Goldhaber is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Embolism, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Deep Vein Thrombosis, Embolectomy, and Thrombectomy.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Farouc Jaffer is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Jaffer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Coronary Heart Disease, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), and Heart Bypass Surgery.
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Behnood Bikdeli is a Cardiologist practicing medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been practicing medicine for over 18 years. Dr. Bikdeli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Thrombectomy, and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).
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: This study is being done to determine the feasibility and safety of using a novel dose adjusted apixaban for the management of participants with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (blood clot) or and thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets in the blood). Investigators are also looking to see if participants on this treatment have fewer bleeding episodes. The name of the study drug involved...
Summary: Superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) is very common in clinical practice. What's more, around 15- 20% of SVTs occur in the context of cancer. Today, cancer patients are excluded from therapeutic trials for DVT. There is therefore no high-level evidence-based treatment recommendation for these patients. Recent data suggest that the course of cancer-associated DVT is similar to that of cancer-associa...
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.