Serum phosphate levels in acute bowel ischemia. An aid to early diagnosis.

Serum phosphate levels were studied in 18 patients with acute intestinal infarction as proved by laparotomy. Serum phosphate was increased preoperatively (6.12 +/- 0.75 mg/dl) in 94.4 per cent of cases. False-positive results were not recorded. The rise in phosphate was observed 4-12 hr (6.82 +/- 2.65) after the beginning of symptoms and was significantly higher when compared with both normal limits (3-5 mg/dl) and phosphate levels of 24 patients with acute abdominal conditions not associated with intestinal ischemia. This study suggests that determination of serum phosphate should be used as screening method for early detection and treatment of patients with acute intestinal ischemia.