Acute Superior Mesenteric Artery Embolism Treated with Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy: a Single-Center Preliminary Application and Experience

Acute superior mesenteric artery embolism is a life-threatening disease, and the prognosis is very poor. Few reports described the application of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy in acute superior mesenteric artery embolism. In this report, we showed a series of cases treated by percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and shared our experience. Our case series included a total of twelve patients with acute superior mesenteric artery embolism treated by AngioJet Ultra Thrombectomy System from November 2019 to June 2021 in Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. Based on the kinds of literature, we summarized the diagnosis, treatment, and surgical experience of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy was successfully achieved in all patients. A total of nine patients’ symptoms were significantly relieved and smoothly discharged from the hospital. After operation, three patients still complained of abdominal pain, and one patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and the superior mesenteric artery pseudoaneurysm resection; the other two elderly patients did not undergo the exploratory laparotomy. During the follow-up, ten patients were free of any clinical symptoms or signs, one patient who refused laparotomy died 2 days later from septic shock, and the other patient was lost to follow-up. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using an AngioJet Ultra (Boston Scientific®, USA) Thrombectomy System is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive method in the initial stage of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism. We believe that percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy could be a promising alternative in select cases. Furthermore, large sample data and long-term follow-up are needed to verify its effect.