Significant disease of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in asymptomatic patients: predictive value of Doppler sonography.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of significant disease (i.e., occlusion or stenosis > 70%) of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in asymptomatic patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Using duplex sonographic criteria obtained from previous angiographic-duplex Doppler correlation studies, we assessed the frequency of significant disease in the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries in 184 patients who had no signs or symptoms of mesenteric ischemia.

RESULTS

For patients less than 65 years old, the frequency of significant disease was 3%, and it was isolated to the celiac artery. Significant disease was found in 18% of patients more than 65 years old (in 11%, isolated to one vessel; in 7%, disease of both vessels). Single-vessel disease was more common in the celiac artery (81%) than in the superior mesenteric artery (19%).

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the finding of significant abnormality of the celiac and superior mesenteric arteries on Doppler sonograms does not necessarily indicate mesenteric ischemia.