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Ischemic colitis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Colonic ischemia

Treatment:

Mild, temporary ischemic colitis is treated by maintaining good blood pressure. This can be done with medicines and by avoiding dehydration. Antibiotics are sometimes used.

Chronic ischemic colitis leading to areas of narrowed colon (strictures) is treated by removing the narrowed areas with surgery.

Severe ischemic colitis that leads to gangrene is treated with:

Antibiotics
Replacement of blood volume
Surgery to remove the affected bowel area

Expectations (prognosis):

Most cases of ischemic colitis are mild and will improve on their own. They do not need treatment.

The death rate is high when gangrene occurs because there is not enough blood supply.

Complications:

Gangrene of the bowel
Hole in the intestine (perforation)
Inflammation of the lining of the abdomen (peritonitis)
Sepsis

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of ischemic colitis.

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 5/27/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Hauser SC. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 146.

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