Role of Echocardiography for the Evaluation of Ischemic Colitis

Background/Aims: Ischemic colitis is recognized as the most common intestinal vascular disorder, especially in the elderly. Several predisposing factors, especially a cardiac embolism, have been reported for ischemic colitis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and the role of echocardiography in ischemic colitis. Methods: Thirty-six patients with ischemic colitis from January 2000 to February 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean age of subjects was 68.8 +/- 8.4 years. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in ischemic colitis patients was 33% (12/36 cases). There were eight ischemic heart disease cases, four valvular heart disease cases, three arrhythmia cases and one hypertrophic cardiomyopathy case. Echocardiography was performed in 21 cases; cardiovascular disease could be detected in 11/12 cases (92%) and four cases were previously unknown. Anticoagulant therapy was required in 25% of the patients. Factors influencing hospital stay were the presence of cardiovascular disease. The presence of an associated medical illness did not influence hospital stay. Conclusions: Echocardiography may be useful to evaluate predisposing factors and to determine the use of anticoagulation therapy in ischemic colitis.