Plasma biomarkers for early diagnosis of acute intestinal ischemia

Determining the severity of acute mesenteric ischemia or reperfusion injury can be problematic, as early visceral hypoperfusion is difficult to detect by traditional laboratory testing. Likewise gauging the success of resuscitation and therapeutic intervention is also challenging to determine by laboratory analysis alone. Investigators continue to actively search for plasma biomarkers that will aide clinicians in identifying the early microvascular changes associated with visceral splanchnic malperfusion in an effort to allow for earlier diagnosis and expedient intervention in order to minimize overall intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury for the potential of improving clinical outcomes. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.