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 in the abdomen
- Diverticulitis
- Liver disease with cirrhosis
- High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension)
- 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:
- Factor V Leiden variant
- Prothrombin G20210A variant
- Other rare conditions, such as protein C, protein S, and antithrombin III 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.
Office
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 15 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.
Office
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: EYE-RES-104 is a randomized, dose-masked study of intravitreal EYE103 in participants with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) or macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The study will consist of 4 patient cohorts, with participants in each cohort randomized (1:1) to either a low dose of EYE103 via IVT or a high dose of EYE103 via IVT. 40 participants will be...
Summary: This study will perform a prospective, longitudinal analysis of clinical and imaging findings from normal controls and subjects with retinal vascular disease to better define the diagnostic imaging criteria that signify change in disease stage. This includes disease progression in early stages of disease or disease regression with appropriate standard-of-care treatment.
Published Date: May 01, 2026
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, 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.
Aru RG, Lum YW. Mesenteric ischemia. In: Ahmad SA, Pryor AD, eds. Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 88.
Fenster M, Feuerstadt P, Brandt LJ. Intestinal ischemia. In: Chung RT, Rubin DT, Wilcox CM, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 120.
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