D-Dimer in Acute Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Case-Control International Multicenter Study

Abstract

Acute mesenteric vein thrombosis is rare, but life-threatening. The symptoms are abdominal pain and are not distinct from other acute abdominal conditions. A blood test identifying or leading to easier diagnosis is warranted. This multicenter international study has included patients with thrombosis in the mesenteric veins as well as suspected diseases, but not confirmed conditions, of disturbed circulation to the gastrointestinal tract. Elevation of the blood marker D-dimer was found to be associated with the condition of acute mesenteric vein thrombosis, but was not enough discriminative in relation to those patients with suspected disease only. There is an urgent need to find a more accurate blood marker for deep vein thrombosis of the abdomen.