Celiac artery thrombosis and superior mesenteric artery stenosis

Acute thrombosis of the celiac artery trunk or elsewhere in mesenteric blood supply is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Celiac artery thrombosis carries high mortality and morbidity rates if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. It is frequently associated with other cardiovascular events. The most common etiology is atherosclerosis. The main goal of the treatment is to revascularize and start the diminished or stopped mesenteric blood flow and to avoid end-organ ischemia. Thrombolysis with urokinase followed by anticoagulation with heparin in an emergency situation can save the life of the patient before surgical intervention.