Which vessel is described as fasting when evaluating mesenteric arteries?

Which vessel is described as fasting when evaluating mesenteric arteries?

• A. Renal Artery
• B. Common Hepatic Artery
• C. Superior Mesenteric Artery
• D. Inferior Mesenteric Artery

Answer: (C)

The superior mesenteric artery is the one described as fasting in this context. When evaluating mesenteric arteries with Doppler, imaging is typically done in a fasting state because the gut’s blood flow rises after a meal (postprandial hyperemia). This meal-induced increase mainly affects the SMA, raising flow and velocity and potentially masking or mimicking stenosis. Scanning while fasting provides a lower, baseline flow, making abnormal velocities due to true narrowing more reliable to identify. The other vessels listed are not the focus of the fasting evaluation for mesenteric ischemia.

The superior mesenteric artery is the one described as fasting in this context. When evaluating mesenteric arteries with Doppler, imaging is typically done in a fasting state because the gut’s blood flow rises after a meal (postprandial hyperemia). This meal-induced increase mainly affects the SMA, raising flow and velocity and potentially masking or mimicking stenosis. Scanning while fasting provides a lower, baseline flow, making abnormal velocities due to true narrowing more reliable to identify. The other vessels listed are not the focus of the fasting evaluation for mesenteric ischemia.