Which of the following can cause intestinal infarction?

Which of the following can cause intestinal infarction?

• A. Arteriosclerosis
• B. Thrombi/emboli
• C. Strangulated intestine
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Intestinal infarction happens when blood flow to a segment of bowel is disrupted long enough to cause tissue death. Arteriosclerosis narrows the mesenteric arteries, reducing baseline perfusion and making the bowel more susceptible to ischemia. A thrombus or embolus can acutely block a mesenteric vessel, abruptly stopping blood supply to a portion of the intestine. A strangulated intestine—from a hernia, volvulus, or torsion—cuts off both arterial inflow and venous outflow, leading to rapid ischemia and infarction. Because each mechanism can terminate perfusion to bowel tissue, all of these can cause intestinal infarction.

Intestinal infarction happens when blood flow to a segment of bowel is disrupted long enough to cause tissue death. Arteriosclerosis narrows the mesenteric arteries, reducing baseline perfusion and making the bowel more susceptible to ischemia. A thrombus or embolus can acutely block a mesenteric vessel, abruptly stopping blood supply to a portion of the intestine. A strangulated intestine—from a hernia, volvulus, or torsion—cuts off both arterial inflow and venous outflow, leading to rapid ischemia and infarction. Because each mechanism can terminate perfusion to bowel tissue, all of these can cause intestinal infarction.