D-dimer as a marker for early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia

IntroductionAcute obstruction of mesenteric artery generally has an unfavorable prognosis because of late diagnosis. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic value of plasma D-dimer level as an early indicator in acute mesenteric ischemia in rats caused by ligation of superior mesenteric artery.Materials and methodsTwenty-eight mature male Wistar rats were used in the study. These were divided into four groups, each consisting of seven rats. In group I, after performing a simple laparotomy, blood was sampled at minute 30. In group II, first the superior mesenteric artery was ligated, and blood samples were taken at the 30th minute. Group III consisted of rats undergoing a simple laparotomy and blood samples were taken 7 h later. From the subjects in group IV blood samples were obtained 7 h after the ligation of their superior mesenteric artery.ResultsPlasma D-dimer levels of the ligated groups were significantly higher both at the 30th minute and the 7th hour compared to the levels of those having undergone simple laparotomies (p < 0.002). Likewise, this level was higher in the 7th hour blood samples of the ligated group than in the 30th minute (p < 0.008).ConclusionsIn rats undergoing acute mesenteric ischemia by ligation of superior mesenteric artery, plasma D-dimer levels increase with the duration of the intestinal ischemia period. This finding suggests that the measurement of the plasma D-dimer levels might be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric obstruction.