Percutaneous recanalization and stent placement in chronic proximal superior mesenteric artery occlusion

Atherosclerotic stenosis involving the proximal portion of at least two visceral arteries usually causes symptoms of intestinal ischemia and can lead to massive bowel infarction and death. This report describes a case of chronic proximal occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in a 51-year-old man, successfully treated by local catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy, followed by balloon dilatation and stent placement of the residual atherosclerotic stenosis. At 3 months follow-up, the patient was free of symptoms. This case shows that local thrombolytic therapy, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement can be useful in the treatment of chronic atherosclerotic occlusion of the proximal SMA.