[Obstructive ileus of the large intestine caused by ischemic colitis--literature review and report of 7 cases].

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of intestinal ischemia. The damage produces ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. Ischemic colitis affects primarily people who are 50 or older. The disease was first described by Boley and associates [1] as a "reversible vascular occlusion" of the colon, and Marston and colleagues [2] went on to detail the gangrenous, stricturing, and transient forms. Two mechanisms may cause bowel ischemia: The first and most common is diminished bowel perfusion due to low cardiac output often seen with in patients with cardiac disease or in prolonged shock of any etiology. The second mechanism is occlusive disease of the vascular supply of bowel due to atheroma, thrombosis, or embolism in which the collateral circulation is not adequate to maintain bowel integrity.