Superior mesenteric artery balloon occlusion. A nonoperative model of small bowel ischemia in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to develop a nonoperative animal model of small bowel ischemia that could be used for subsequent studies of intestinal ischemia. Ten mongrel dogs underwent balloon occlusion of their superior mesenteric artery after percutaneous insertion of a balloon tipped catheter through the femoral artery. Small bowel biopsies taken at various time intervals demonstrated mucosal congestion, hemorrhage, and sloughing consistent with classic small bowel ischemia. These changes consistently began 3 hours after occlusion with transmural necrosis and perforation occurring by 18 hours after occlusion. Fluoroscopy demonstrated little or no flow in the mesenteric circulation during balloon occlusion. This model provides a standard nonoperative approach for the induction of intestinal ischemia in dogs and could be a valuable tool in the study of intestinal ischemia.