📧 EM Note Newsletter https://forms.gle/8boToiKDXVE3V8U19 Signup to get free weekly PDF via email. PS: Please join our membership for more perks (members can request for specific PDF file by posting in the EM Note YouTube Membership section). Homepage: EMNote.org ■ 🚩Membership: https://tinyurl.com/joinemnote 🚩ACLS Lecture: https://tinyurl.com/emnoteacls Superior mesenteric artery occlusion is a critical vascular emergency where a sudden blockage halts blood flow to the digestive tract, often leading to rapid tissue death. This condition primarily impacts elderly patients with pre-existing heart issues and is famously characterized by intense abdominal pain that seems far more severe than what a physical exam suggests. To prevent high mortality rates, doctors rely on CT angiography for a quick diagnosis before the intestines reach the stage of irreversible necrosis. Treatment requires a combination of aggressive fluid resuscitation, blood thinners, and surgical intervention to restore circulation or remove damaged segments. Ultimately, the patient’s survival is heavily time-dependent, as delays beyond twelve hours drastically reduce the chances of recovery.
