Endovascular treatment of an acute superior mesenteric artery occlusion following failed surgical embolectomy.

Purpose: To present the successful primary stenting of a superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion following failed surgical embolectomy.

Case Report: A 65-year-old woman with a history of atrial fibrillation underwent surgical embolectomy of an acute embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The following day, symptom recurrence suggested reocclusion, which was confirmed with emergent arteriography. Two balloon-expandable stents were deployed primarily, which ameliorated the patient's symptoms. Follow-up angiography at 3 months showed continued SMA patency, with no evidence of distal embolization or restenosis. The patient remains asymptomatic at 9 months after the stent procedure.

Conclusions: Although more experience is required, primary stenting may be a valuable alternative in the treatment of acute SMA occlusions, in particular, for reocclusions after failed surgery.