Abstract:Objective:To discuss the manifestations,diagnosis and management of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism. Methods:The clinical data of 22 cases of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism admitted in our hospital in recent 10 years were analyzed retrospectively. Results:The preoperative diagnostic rate was 77.3%. Among them, 2 cases who refused operation died（100%）; 20 cases were subjected to operation, in whom 5 cases underwent simple resection of necrotic bowel and 3 of them died（60%）,while 15 cases were subjected to resection of necrotic bowel after removal of the embolus and 5 of them died（33.3%）.The overall mortality was rate 45.5%. Conclusions:Acute superior mesenteric artery embolism should be suspected in every patient with sudden abdominal pain,especially in those who have organic cardiac disease. CTA is an effective method for diagnosis of acute superior mesenteric embolism. Early diagnosis and prompt embolectomy are the key points to improve the therapeutic effects.