Table 2.

Utility of serum biomarkers in predicting intestinal compromise

Biomarker	Sensitivity (%)	Specificity (%)
Base deficit52 65	75*; 72-80†	80*; 38-50†
White blood cell count52 53 65-67	45-81*; 80-82†	37-74*; 40-58†
L-lactate66 68-70	78-100	36-53
D-lactate‡ 71-73	82	77
D-dimer§ 74-79	89-96†	40†
Procalcitonin80-85	72*	73*

^*Predicts strangulated bowel.

^†Predicts acute mesenteric ischemia.

^‡Product of bacterial fermentation; serum concentrations are typically low but have been reported to rise in mesenteric ischemia owing to increased intestinal permeability.⁷³

^§Byproduct of plasmin mediated breakdown of cross linked fibrin, and therefore a sensitive test of thrombus formation.