Chronic arterial insufficiency of blood supply to digestive organs in the abdominal region is a specific manifestation of circulatory diseases. It is rare but may cause substantial danger to the patient. Reference is made in this paper to international literature as well as to cases involved in vascular surgery at the Berlin School of Medicine (Charité) for an account of present knowledge on aetiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, and therapy of chronic disorders of abdominal blood supply. Techniques of vascular repair represent an appropriate therapeutic concept, accurate diagnosis and critical indication provided.