Intravascular stent implantation of the celiac artery in the treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia

We report a case of chronic mesenteric ischemia that caused abdominal angina and weight loss in an 80-year-old woman. A mesenteric angiogram revealed total occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery and 90% stenosis of the celiac and inferior mesenteric arteries. Balloon angioplasty of the celiac artery failed because of elastic recoil. A 15-mm Palmaz-Schatz stent was dilated to 6 mm in the proximal celiac artery with an excellent angiographic result and complete resolution of symptoms. A clinical, I-year follow-up demonstrated success with no recurrence of pain. This case report illustrates the value of balloon dilatation and stent implantation in a patient with atherosclerotic narrowing of multiple abdominal visceral arteries.