The superior mesenteric artery, a large vessel that branches off the aorta, supplies part of the intestine with blood. When a blood clot lodges in this artery or its branches, it cuts of the blood supply to part of the intestine. This is known as intestinal ischemia. When this occurs, the intestine may infarct (die).
Crampy or steady upper abdominal pain
Embolic -- blood clots are thrown from the heart due to heart valve disease or atrial fibrillation
Thrombosis -- blood clots form in the blood vessels
Vascular insufficiency -- insufficient blood is being pumped to the arteries of the intestine. This can occur in patients with Congestive Heart Failure recently started on Digoxin.
Classically, pain is out of proportion to the exam
