The value of potassium, pH and D-dimer levels in early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia: an experimental study on rats

Introduction The aim of this randomized controlled experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of potassium, pH and D-dimer levels in blood, as well as potassium and pH levels in peritoneal lavage fluid, in the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia. Material and methods This study was conducted at the Istanbul University Center of Experimental Medicine after having received approval from the Istanbul University animal testing ethics committee. Male albino Wistar rats (n = 24; 250 to 350 g) were divided into two control groups and two ischemic groups. Levels of potassium, pH, and D-dimer in blood and levels of potassium and pH in peritoneal lavage fluid were analyzed for 1 h and 2 h after the induced acute mesenteric ischemia procedure. The degree of ischemic injury was determined using the histopathological damage score in tissue samples taken from the terminal ileum. Results Ischemic groups had statistically significant differences in potassium and pH in blood and peritoneal lavage fluid compared to non-ischemic groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between control and ischemic groups in terms of D-dimer and histologic grading results after 1 h (p = 0.132, p = 0.475 respectively), while there was a significant difference between control and ischemic groups after 2 h (p < 0.05). Conclusions The levels of potassium, pH, and D-dimer could be useful in daily practice for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.