Mesenteric Angiograms

Overview

Mesenteric angiography is a test used to examine the blood vessels that supply the small and large intestines. It uses X-rays and a special dye called contrast to make blood vessels show up on the images. This test is done when a patient has symptoms of a blood vessel blockage in the intestines, GI tract bleeding, or when there is ongoing abdominal pain and the cause can’t be identified.

Certain treatments can be done during this procedure, including dissolving a blood clot with medicine, opening a partially blocked artery with a balloon, or placing a stent into an artery to help hold it open.