Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a rare but life-threatening condition associated with high mortality and major diagnostic challenges due to nonspecific clinical presentation and limited reliable biomarkers. Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are at particularly high risk of non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), a subtype of AMI characterized by impaired mesenteric perfusion without large-vessel occlusion. Despite advances in imaging, the diagnosis of NOMI remains difficult, and data specifically focusing on ICU patients with suspected AMI are limited. This prospective observational multicenter study aims to identify independent predictors of transmural NOMI among ICU patients with suspected AMI. In addition, the study will describe demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, diagnostic imaging, management strategies, and outcomes among ICU patients with NOMI, other forms of AMI, and patients with suspected but unconfirmed AMI. Consecutive adult ICU patients in whom clinical suspicion of AMI arises during ICU stay will be included across Estonian regional hospitals. The study is a local continuation of the international AMESI study, with a specific focus on critically ill ICU patients.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
150
This is a prospective observational study on ICU patients with the suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia. No intervention is done.
North Estonia Medical Centre
Tallinn, Tallinn, Estonia
RECRUITINGTartu University Hospital
Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
RECRUITINGPredictors of transmural necrosis in NOMI - age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (Range 0 - 37 points). A higher score indicates a higher chance of 10-year mortality.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural necrosis in NOMI patients - SOFA score
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (Range 0 - 24 points). Higher scores indicate more severe organ dysfunction.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural necrosis in NOMI patients - GRV
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Gastric residual volume (GRV) greater than 500 ml at any point within the 48 hours prior to the suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) will be recorded as a Yes or No variable. A high GRV indicates feeding intolerance, which may suggest non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. This is a retrospective variable. After a patient is enrolled in the study, the patient's ICU datasheet will be retrospectively analyzed to determine if there was a GRV above 500 ml. If such an event occurred within the 48 hours prior to inclusion, the variable will be considered positive (Yes); if not, it will be considered negative (No).
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - bloody stool.
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Presence of bloody stool. Yes or No variable. Bloody stool might indicate gastrointestinal ischemia.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - cardiac arrest.
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Cardiac arrest. Yes or No variable. If the patient was hospitalised due to cardiac arrest, then Yes, if not, then No. Cardiac arrest is a risk factor for developing NOMI.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - RRT
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) prior to suspicion of AMI. The variable is a Yes or No question. Once a patient is enrolled in the study, a retrospective analysis of their data sheet will be conducted to determine if the patient received renal replacement therapy (RRT) during their hospital stay prior to their inclusion in the study. RRT is a risk factor for developing non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - WBC.
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Highest White blood cell (WBC) levels within 72 hours prior to suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia. Units: 10\*12 /L. The highest WBC value within the 72 hours prior to suspicion of AMI will be recorded. Higher values indicate a more severe inflammatory response.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - CRP
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- C-reactive protein (CRP). Units: mg/L. The highest CRP value within the 72 hours prior to suspicion of AMI will be recorded. Higher values indicate a severe inflammatory response.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - lactate
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Highest lactate value. Units: mmol/L. The highest lactate value within the 12 hours prior to suspicion of AMI will be recorded. Higher values indicate worse tissue perfusion.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - pneumatosis intestinalis
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Pneumatosis intestinalis. Yes or No variable.In patients suspected of acute mesenteric ischemia, the presence of pneumatosis intestinalis observed on computed tomography will be documented. The presence of pneumatosis intestinalis can indicate mesenteric ischemia.
Time frame: Baseline
Predictors of transmural ischemia in NOMI patients - bowel wall enhancement
To identify independent predictors of transmural necrosis in patients with non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Variable: \- Decreased bowel wall enhancement on the computed tomography. Yes or No variable. In patients suspected of acute mesenteric ischemia, the decrease in bowel wall enhancement observed on computed tomography will be documented. The decrease in bowel wall enhancement on CT can indicate mesenteric ischemia.
Time frame: Baseline
CT findings in patients with suspected AMI
Computed tomography variables in patients with suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia will be analysed. Variables: * Presence of bowel dilatation (Yes or No variable) * Pathological bowel wall enhancement (categorization: absence or decrease enhancement; normal enhancement; increased enhancement) * Presence of pneumatosis intestinalis (Yes or No variable) * Presence of gas in the mesenteric or portal venous system (Yes or No variable) * Thickening of the bowel wall (Yes or No variable) (small bowel \> 3 mm, large bowel \> 3 mm if distended or \> 5 mm if not distended) * Thinning of the bowel wall (Yes or No variable)
Time frame: Baseline
Management of AMI patients
Rate of surgical, conservative, endovascular or palliative management
Time frame: Baseline
30-day survival
30-day Survival of patients with suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia in the ICU
Time frame: 30 days after admission
90-day survival
90-day Survival of patients with suspicion of acute mesenteric ischemia in the ICU
Time frame: 90 days after admission
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