Diagnostic value of blood D-dimer level in acute mesenteric ischaemia in the rat: an experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
The high mortality rate of mesenteric ischaemia is mainly due to delay in diagnosis. For this reason, it is of great importance to find a specific and rapidly elevating marker. The present study investigated the diagnostic value of blood D-dimer level as a potential marker for acute mesenteric ischaemia in a rat model.


METHODS
Thirty male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. Basal D-dimer and L-lactate levels were determined in the non-operative control group (I). In the operated control group (II), the superior mesenteric artery was simply manipulated, while the artery was ligated in Group III. Blood samples were drawn in all groups for D-dimer and L-lactate assays.


RESULTS
Both Group II (p=0.016) and Group III (p=0.001) had significantly higher mean D-dimer levels in the first postoperative hour compared with the basal level in Group I. However, there was no difference between the levels in Groups II and III. The mean level in Group II in the sixth hour had dropped to a statistically insignificant level compared with the basal value, while the mean value in Group III kept rising during this period (p=0.001). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between Groups II and III. On the other hand, the mean L-lactate level in the first postoperative hour in Group III was significantly higher than the basal level in Group I (p=0.003). No significant rises were recorded in Group II in the first and sixth postoperative hours. The difference between Groups II and III in the first hour was significant (p=0.005). Group III also had significantly higher mean serum L-lactate value in the sixth hour compared with both the basal value in Group I (p=0.001) and the sixth-hour value in Group II (p=0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not adequately support the use of blood D-dimer level as an independent parameter in the diagnosis of mesenteric ischaemia due to arterial thrombosis. However, this parameter can be used together with other tests in eliminating the possibility of a thromboembolic event.
Kulacoglu
Hakan
H
Department of Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. hakankulacoglu@superonline.com
Kocaerkek
Zihni
Z
Moran
Munevver
M
Kulah
Bahadir
B
Atay
Cigdem
C
Kulacoglu
Sezer
S
Ozmen
Mahir
M
Coskun
Faruk
F
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation
D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D; D019344:Lactic Acid