Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)

If your healthcare provider thinks you may have MALS, they’ll review your medical history and perform a physical examination. Your provider may also order certain tests, including blood work and imaging tests, to help rule out more common causes of your symptoms. These include:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastritis.
Gastroparesis.
Problems with your pancreas, liver, gallbladder, spleen or intestines.

Once these conditions are ruled out, your healthcare provider may order a test called a mesenteric duplex ultrasound to check blood flow through the celiac artery and compression of the celiac plexus. Another helpful imaging test would be a CT or MRI angiogram, which can give a better picture of your celiac artery and aorta.

Once the diagnosis of MALS is suspected, your records will be reviewed and these steps followed.

Imaging tests will be repeated or ordered (such as a mesenteric ultrasound of the celiac axis or a CT/MRI angiogram).
You’ll consult with surgeons in the minimally-invasive surgery field and/or vascular surgery.
You’ll be evaluated by a pain management specialist for a potential celiac plexus block procedure. This offers temporary relief from the symptoms of MALS, and helps to confirm the diagnosis.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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