Reversible 'unstable' abdominal angina caused by ruptured plaque of the superior mesenteric artery: clinical and radiological correlations

  • Shaul Yaari Department of Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Nurith Hiller Department of Radiology, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Yacov Samet Department of Vascular Surgery, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
  • Samuel Noam Heyman Department of Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2023_003766

Keywords

Mesenteric ischemia, abdominal angina, atherosclerosis, unstable angina, superior mesenteric artery, atheromatous plaque

Abstract

Unstable angina, characteristic of coronary artery disease, is caused by in-situ clot formation complicating ruptured atheromatous plaque. Abdominal angina, however, usually reflects chronic mesenteric ischaemia, caused by multi-vessel stable plaques involving mesenteric arteries. Herein, we describe a patient with new-onset abdominal pain caused by a ruptured atheromatous plaque at the superior mesenteric root. The diagnosis was based on an evident reversible epigastric bruit and high-degree eccentric stenosis caused by a non-calcified atheroma. Symptoms and bruit resolved within 3 weeks on aspirin and statins with regression of the stenotic lesion. Although the condition is likely common, this is the first clear-cut report compatible with 'unstable' abdominal angina, resolved by conservative treatment.

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    • Published: 2023-04-06

    Issue: 2023: Vol 10 No 4 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Yaari S, Hiller N, Samet Y, Heyman SN. Reversible ’unstable’ abdominal angina caused by ruptured plaque of the superior mesenteric artery: clinical and radiological correlations. EJCRIM 2023;10 doi:10.12890/2023_003766.