Serum inorganic phosphate levels in experimental intestinal ischaemia

Serial serum inorganic phosphate estimates were done following production of experimental intestinal ischaemia in dogs by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery (10 dogs) or vein (10 dogs) and compared to phosphate values in control dogs (5 for each experimental group). Elevated phosphate values were seen within one hour after ischaemia. Elevation was more marked following arterial occlusion, becoming statistically significant within 2 hours. It is suggested that serum inorganic phosphate elevation can be used as important laboratory test in early diagnosis of acute intestinal ischaemia.