Title:Ischemic Colitis: Current Diagnosis and Treatment
Volume: 16
Issue: 3
Author(s): Paula Mosinska and Jakub Fichna
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Intestinal ischemia, ischemic colitis, management, risk factors.
Abstract: Ischemic colitis (CI) is a common form of ischemic injury, which evolves as a consequence
of decreased arterial blood flow to the colon. In general, CI is attributed to an elderly with multiple
comorbidities; however, it may also occur in young or middle-aged individuals. The etiology of CI is
multifactorial and the clinical presentation varies upon the severity of deprivation of the intestinal
blood flow, and the development of the microvasculature plexus. Multiple case reports have associations
with medications, vascular disorders, pathogens and hematologic diseases. Occlusive and nonocclusive
diseases are the major mechanisms, which are simultaneously the causative factor of intestinal
ischemia. In this review, we discuss major factors predisposing to occurrence of CI and analyze the
mechanisms of action of several classes of medications currently used. We also suggest possible therapies and discuss the
latest reports, which may lead to the discovery of novel pharmacological targets for future anti-CI drugs to be used in the
clinical treatment.
