Nonocclusive mesenteric infarction after cardiac surgery: potential biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia can cause intestinal infarction but the diagnosis is challenging. This prospective study evaluated three plasma biomarkers of intestinal infarction after cardiac surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited after cardiac surgery if they required laparotomy (with or without intestinal resection) for suspected nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. Plasma levels of D-lactate, intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (i-FABP), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) before laparotomy were measured.

RESULTS: Twenty patients were recruited (68 ± 9 y, EuroSCORE: 8.7 ± 2.8, mortality 70%). A positive laparotomy (n = 13) was associated with no change in D-lactate (P = 0.95), decreased i-FABP (P = 0.007), and increased SMA (P = 0.01). All patients with high SMA had a positive laparotomy. A subgroup analysis was undertaken in the eight patients who required multiple laparotomies. D-lactate increased between the two laparotomies in nonsurvivors (n = 4). Plasma i-FABP (P = 0.008) and SMA (P = 0.036) significantly decreased after the bowel resection, regardless of survival outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: None of the biomarkers were accurate enough to reliably diagnose intestinal infarction. However, all patients with high values of SMA developed intestinal infarction, thus warranting further investigation. An increasing D-lactate after intestinal resection suggests impending death.