The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia is variable. Early diagnosis is important for reducing the mortality and morbidity rates.

This experimental study aims to investigate the diagnostic utility of D-dimer and neopterin as a marker for the early stage of acute mesenteric ischemia caused by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery.

The levels of D-dimer and neopterin were measured using an animal acute mesenteric ischemia model in 21 male rabbits. Superior mesenteric artery occlusion (Group 1, n = 14) and control (Group 2, n = 7) groups were identified. Blood samples at different times are collected from each rabbits. Blood samples from superior mesenteric artery occlusion group were taken 30 min after anesthesia but before laparotomy, 1, 2, and 3 h after superior mesenteric artery ligation. Blood samples from control group were taken 1 h before, 1 and 3 h after anesthesia and laparotomy. The D-dimer and neopterin levels of each blood sample were measured.

The probability of acute mesenteric ischemia was found to be 36 times higher when the D-dimer level was over 0.125 ng/L, whereas the probability was 19.2 times higher when the neopterin level was over 1.25 nmol/L.

In this experimental study, the combined elevation of two significant markers, D-dimer and neopterin, may be helpful for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia.