BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMesenteric venous thrombosisMVTMesenteric 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.Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes 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 AppendicitisAppendicitis is a condition in which your appendix gets inflamed. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the end of the large intestine.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the abdomen Diverticulitis DiverticulitisDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease with cirrhosis CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.Read Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the liver Abdominal surgery or trauma Pancreatitis Inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Heart failureHeart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Protein C or S deficienciesCongenital protein C or S deficiency is a lack of proteins C or S in the fluid part of the blood. The proteins are natural substances that help prev...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Polycythemia vera Polycythemia veraPolycythemia vera (PV) is a bone marrow disease that leads to an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells. The red blood cells are the most af...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Essential thrombocythemiaEssential thrombocythemiaEssential thrombocythemia (ET) is a condition in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets. Platelets are particles in the blood that aid in...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Symptoms may include any of the following:Abdominal pain, which may get worse after eating and over time Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bloating Constipation Bloody diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fever Septic shock Septic shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lower gastrointestinal bleeding Vomiting and nauseaVomiting and nauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests A CT scan is the main test used to diagnose MVT.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include:Angiogram (studying the blood flow to the intestine) AngiogramAn arteriogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. It can be used to view arteries in the heart, brain...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the abdomen MRI of the abdomenAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the abdomen and mesenteric veinsUltrasound of the abdomenAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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.PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article IleostomyAn ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body. This surgery is done when the colon or rectum is not working properly. The word "ileostomy" come...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ColostomyColostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. Stools movin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Intestinal ischemia is a serious complication of MVT. Part or all of the intestine dies because of poor blood supply.Intestinal ischemiaIntestinal ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the arteries or veins that supply the small intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have severe or repeated episodes of abdominal pain.Open ReferencesReferencesCloud 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.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Blood clots(Condition)Diverticulitis(Condition)Appendicitis(Condition)Cirrhosis(Condition)Small intestinal ischemia and infarction(Condition)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 6/17/2024 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. 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Mesenteric venous thrombosisMVTMesenteric 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.Blood clotBlood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes 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 AppendicitisAppendicitis is a condition in which your appendix gets inflamed. The appendix is a small pouch attached to the end of the large intestine.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of the abdomen Diverticulitis DiverticulitisDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease with cirrhosis CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.Read Article Now Book Mark Article High blood pressure in the blood vessels of the liver Abdominal surgery or trauma Pancreatitis Inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis) Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Heart failureHeart failureHeart failure is a condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body efficiently. This causes symptom...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Protein C or S deficienciesCongenital protein C or S deficiency is a lack of proteins C or S in the fluid part of the blood. The proteins are natural substances that help prev...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Polycythemia vera Polycythemia veraPolycythemia vera (PV) is a bone marrow disease that leads to an abnormal increase in the number of blood cells. The red blood cells are the most af...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Essential thrombocythemiaEssential thrombocythemiaEssential thrombocythemia (ET) is a condition in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets. Platelets are particles in the blood that aid in...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 Symptoms may include any of the following:Abdominal pain, which may get worse after eating and over time Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bloating Constipation Bloody diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Fever Septic shock Septic shockSeptic shock is a serious condition that occurs when a body-wide infection leads to dangerously low blood pressure.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Lower gastrointestinal bleeding Vomiting and nauseaVomiting and nauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests A CT scan is the main test used to diagnose MVT.CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Other tests may include:Angiogram (studying the blood flow to the intestine) AngiogramAn arteriogram is an imaging test that uses x-rays and a special dye to see inside the arteries. It can be used to view arteries in the heart, brain...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the abdomen MRI of the abdomenAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the abdomen and mesenteric veinsUltrasound of the abdomenAbdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and kidneys...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment 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.PeritonitisPeritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article IleostomyAn ileostomy is used to move waste out of the body. This surgery is done when the colon or rectum is not working properly. The word "ileostomy" come...Read Article Now Book Mark Article ColostomyColostomy is a surgical procedure that brings one end of the large intestine out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. Stools movin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) 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. Possible Complications Intestinal ischemia is a serious complication of MVT. Part or all of the intestine dies because of poor blood supply.Intestinal ischemiaIntestinal ischemia and infarction occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the arteries or veins that supply the small intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you have severe or repeated episodes of abdominal pain.Open ReferencesReferencesCloud 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.
