Question

A 75-year-old male is hospitalized for bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain after meals. Endoscopic work-up and CT scan lead the attending physician to diagnose ischemic colitis at the splenic flexure. Which of the following would most likely predispose this patient to ischemic colitis:

a. Increased splanchnic blood flow following a large meal
b. Essential hypertension
c. Obstruction of the abdominal aorta following surgery
d, Hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism secondary to type II diabetes mellitus
e. Juxtaglomerular cell tumor

Answer 1

Essential hypertension is the condition that would most likely predispose a 75-year-old male to ischemic colitis, as it can lead to reduced blood flow to the colon. The correct option is B

Step-by-step explanation:

Essential hypertension is the condition that would most likely predispose a 75-year-old male to ischemic colitis, as it can lead to reduced blood flow to the colon.

The patient, a 75-year-old male diagnosed with ischemic colitis at the splenic flexure, is likely to have this condition predisposed by conditions that cause decreased blood flow to the colon. Among the options given, essential hypertension would most likely predispose this patient to ischemic colitis. Hypertension can lead to atherosclerosis and narrowing of blood vessels, including those supplying the colon, thus resulting in reduced blood flow and potentially ischemic conditions.

Conditions like obstruction of the abdominal aorta, hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism, and a juxtaglomerular cell tumor could also affect blood flow. However, these are less common causes compared to hypertension, which is a widespread and significant risk factor for vascular diseases. Increased splanchnic blood flow following a meal is typically a physiological response and would not predispose to ischemic colitis