Immediate Procedural Results of Superior Mesenteric Artery Angioplasty: An Observational Single-Center Study from India

Abstract

Background: Superior mesenteric artery occlusive disease is an important cause of chronic mesenteric ischaemia and is increasingly managed with endovascular techniques. However, regional data describing procedural outcomes remain limited. This study assessed the technical success and immediate angiographic results of superior mesenteric artery angioplasty, with or without stent placement, at a tertiary care centre in India. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational case series included consecutive adult patients who underwent attempted endovascular revascularisation for symptomatic superior mesenteric artery atherosclerotic stenosis between November 2019 and October 2025. Eligible patients had symptoms compatible with chronic mesenteric ischaemia and imaging-confirmed stenosis of 70% or greater on computed tomography angiography or digital subtraction angiography. Data were extracted from institutional records. Technical success was defined as successful wire traversal, deployment of the intended device where applicable, and restoration of antegrade flow. Immediate angiographic improvement was defined as improved distal branch opacification or peripheral blush on completion angiography. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Seventeen patients underwent attempted superior mesenteric artery angioplasty. The mean age was 57.2 ± 13.2 years, and 11 patients were male. Technical success was achieved in 13 of 17 cases. Four procedures were abandoned because the guidewire could not cross heavily calcified occlusions. Among the successful cases, 11 patients underwent angioplasty with stent placement, one underwent angioplasty alone, and one received thrombolytic therapy after angioplasty. Immediate angiographic improvement was documented in all technically successful procedures. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Conclusion: In this single-centre retrospective series, superior mesenteric artery angioplasty, most commonly with stent placement, was technically feasible and associated with favourable immediate angiographic results. The findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size, retrospective design, and absence of long-term clinical or imaging follow-up.