Treatment of chronic mesenteric ischemia by subintimal angioplasty of an occluded superior mesenteric artery

Introduction. Subintimal angioplasty is an established technique for the recanalisation of occluded vessels. It has been applied extensively to the peripheral arterial system but not the mesenteric vessels in mesenteric angina. Report. We report the first described case of recanalisation of a mesenteric vessel. The vessel has remained patent for five years with good symptomatic relief. Discussion. Subintimal angioplasty could represent an alternative treatment to major surgery for occlusive disease of the mesenteric vessels.