[Are there differences in prodromal illnesses, symptoms and prognosis for various forms of mesenteric infarct?].

Comparing 105 patients with mesenteric infarction, the typical attributes of the underlying diseases, arterial embolization (aE) (n = 26), arterial thrombosis (aT) (n = 40), venous thrombosis (vT) (n = 32) and combined arterio-venous occlusion (n = 7) could be demonstrated. Present heart disease, diabetes and arterial hypertonia, rapid onset of symptoms, severe abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis, extended gangrene of bowel and a high mortality of about 90% is the typical combination for aE. Over 70 years old patients with higher incidence of arteriosclerosis, more digitalis intake, longer duration of symptoms and with bowel problems in the past have a higher incidence of aT and a slightly better prognosis. Risk of thrombosis, long-standing symptoms and a clearly better prognosis are typical for the vT.