Elderly Patients Hospitalized with Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: A Growing Challenge ​

Methods We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including 693 adult patients diagnosed with AMI across 10 hospitals in Southern Spain between 2010 and 2020. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, functional status, treatment strategies, and outcomes. Results The median age was 77.8 years; 85.8% were aged ≥ 65 years, and 31.8% were ≥ 85 years. In-hospital mortality was 62.4%, increasing to 70.1% among the very elderly. A total of 62.6% of patients were admitted to Internal Medicine departments; these patients were older, more functionally dependent (57.8%), and more likely to have dementia (24.9%) than those admitted elsewhere. Only 18.5% underwent surgery. Baseline functional independence was the strongest predictor of surgical intervention (OR 4.87; 95% CI: 1.92–12.49). Conclusions AMI is a severe abdominal emergency that primarily affects frail older adults. Its nonspecific presentation often delays diagnosis, contributing to high mortality. Early detection and multidisciplinary management, involving internists and geriatricians, are key to improving prognosis and guiding treatment decisions aligned with patients’ overall goals and functional status.