title: Multi-detector angio-CT and the use of D-dimer for the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia in geriatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no specific laboratory method for the diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). In this study, we aimed to determine the efficacy of the D-dimer test in selected cases prior to multi-detector angio-CT, which is expensive and has side effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients, over 65, with abdominal pain were included in this study. The D-dimer test was applied to 230 (34%) of 676 abdominal pain patients admitted to our emergency service. The D-dimer levels of the patients diagnosed with AMI by angio-CT were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In AMI patients sensitivity of the D-dimer test was 84.6% and the specificity was 47.9%. Elevated D-dimer levels and AF were observed in 90.9% of the patients diagnosed with AMI by CT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  D-dimer levels were elevated in the AMI patients. Patients suspected of having AMI with unclear clinical results and patients with D-dimer levels above 1000 ng/ml and AF should undergo further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gün
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bozok University Faculty of Medicine, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sadiye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yolcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vermi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Değerli
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Elçin
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Süleyman Demirel University Faculty of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey.
authors.forename: Önder
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Tomruk
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bülent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erdur
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: İsmet
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Parlak
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D065666:Mesenteric Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D