Title
Prediction of the development of sigmoid ischemia on the day of aortic operations. Indirect measurements of intramural pH in the colon
UMMS Affiliation
Information Services, Academic Computing Services; Department of Cell Biology; Department of Surgery
Date
6-1-1986
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Aged; Animals; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm; Body Fluids; Carbon Dioxide; Cardiomyopathies; Colitis; Colon, Sigmoid; Dogs; Female; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Ischemia; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Pressure; Reoperation; Risk
Disciplines
Gastroenterology | Surgery
Abstract
A deviation in an indirect measurement of intramural pH below the limits of normality (6.86) was used as a diagnostic test for sigmoid ischemia in 25 high-risk patients undergoing abdominal aortic operations. The clinical diagnosis of ischemic colitis was made by the attending physicians in only two of the 25, on the day after operation in one and three months after operation in another. In neither was the ischemic colitis considered to have been a causative factor in their subsequent deaths. In contrast, six patients developed pH evidence of ischemia on the day of operation. All six subsequently developed a transient episode of guaiac-positive diarrhea, four developed physical signs consistent with ischemic colitis, and four died. Of 19 who did not develop pH evidence of ischemia, none developed guaiac-positive diarrhea, none developed any signs of ischemic colitis, and none died. Stepwise logistic regression showed the duration of pH evidence of ischemia on the day of operation to be the best predictor for the symptoms and signs of ischemic colitis and for death after operation.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Arch Surg. 1986 Jun;121(6):654-60.
Related Resources
PubMed ID
3085638