PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the time-dependent relation between plasma D-dimer levels and the degree of intestinal necrosis and to compare these parameters with leukocyte counts in an experimental etrangulated hernia model in rats. RESULTS: When the duration of intestinal ischemia was prolonged, serum D-dimer levels increased relative to the control group, with the difference being statistically significant at hour 2 (P = 0.027). In contrast, leukocyte counts in the 2- and 4-h strangulation group were higher that those of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.625 and P = 0.846, respectively). However, in the 6-h strangulation group the levels of leukocytes were significantly higher that those of the control group (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Serum D-dimer measurements may be used as a more valuable diagnostic parameter than leukocyte count in the early diagnosis of intestinal ischemia, including strangulated hernia.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the time-dependent relation between plasma D-dimer levels and the degree of intestinal necrosis and to compare these parameters with leukocyte counts in an experimental etrangulated hernia model in rats. RESULTS: When the duration of intestinal ischemia was prolonged, serum D-dimer levels increased relative to the control group, with the difference being statistically significant at hour 2 (P = 0.027). In contrast, leukocyte counts in the 2- and 4-h strangulation group were higher that those of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.625 and P = 0.846, respectively). However, in the 6-h strangulation group the levels of leukocytes were significantly higher that those of the control group (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Serum D-dimer measurements may be used as a more valuable diagnostic parameter than leukocyte count in the early diagnosis of intestinal ischemia, including strangulated hernia.
Authors: Sanjeev D Chunilal; John W Eikelboom; John Attia; Massimo Miniati; Akbar A Panju; David L Simel; Jeffrey S Ginsberg Journal: JAMA Date: 2003-12-03 Impact factor: 56.272