The authors report a successful management of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism in a patient during the
treatment of popliteal artery embolism. The diagnosis of this disease was confirmed by computerized tomographic angiography.
Immediate surgical embolectomy and bowel resection were performed and postoperatively, he made an uneventful recovery
except for minimal watery diarrhea for one week. In the present report the authors also review the in- patient records at Siriraj
Hospital during 2005-2009 consisting of 14 cases with the claim diagnosis of this condition. Most of the patients developed
peritonism on abdominal examinations showing a delay in diagnosis. The mortality rate was 86% (12 cases) which was
higher than international reports. It is important to note that patients presenting with abdominal pain with underlying risk
factors of arterial embolism is the clue in early diagnosis of this condition. CTA mesenteric artery is the most appropriate
investigation to visualize the presence of embolism. Finally, immediate revascularization treatment is essential in the
successful management of this fatal vascular problem.

Keywords: Superior mesenteric artery, Embolism, Embolectomy, Acute intestinal ischemia, Intestinal gangrene