[Lactate in the diagnosis of acute intestinal vascular occlusions]

The diagnostic value of lactate in acute occlusion of intestinal vessels was investigated in two groups of patients: Group 1 included 86 patients with reconstructions of aorta and intestinal arteries: The lactate-concentrations measured during uncomplicated postoperative course over 24 hours remained within the normal range of 4.31 +/- 1.06 mmol/l. Only in 3 patients with acute postoperative occlusion of intestinal arteries, lactate rose to high pathologic levels up to 59.94 mmol/l. In 10 patients after reconstruction of acute mesenteric artery occlusion the postoperative lactate levels enforced the decision in 9 cases against and in one patient to second look operation. Group 2 included 36 patients with acute abdomen: In 18 patients with intestinal vascular occlusions the mean value of lactate was 7.45 +/- 2.86 mmol/l, in 18 patients without intestinal ischemia lactate was only 1.94 +/- 1.02 mmol/l. The statistical difference is significant. In summary, the results of this study document the reliable value of lactate for the diagnosis of acute occlusions of intestinal vessels during pre- and postoperative course.