Mild ERCP-induced and non-ERCP-related acute pancreatitis: two distinct clinical entities?

Prognostic scores in post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography acute pancreatitis: should we use all, some, or none?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acute pancreatitis is the most commonly observed adverse event following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Early risk stratification is crucial in the management of these patients, to reduce unfavorable outcomes. Multiple prognostic scores are already used in acute pancreatitis, regardless of its etiology. Scarce data is available for their use specifically on post-ERCP acute pancreatitis (PEP). We aimed to compare the accuracy of different prognostic scores at PEP diagnosis for the prediction of a moderate-to-severe course.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of consecutive ERCPs performed between 2010 and 2020. The final sample included patients with PEP, with the severity graded according to the Atlanta classification. For each patient, different prognostic scores were calculated. Each score's accuracy for the prediction of a moderate-to-severe course was assessed by analysis of receiving-operating-characteristics (ROC) curves.

RESULTS

From 2012 ERCPs, 102 (5.1%) were complicated by PEP. From these, 34 (1.7% of all ERCPs) were classified as moderate-to-severe. The scores with the best accuracy in predicting a moderate-to-severe course were the BISAP [ area under curve (AUC) = 0.92], Balthazar (AUC = 0.89) and Glasgow-Imrie (AUC = 0.88) scores, with very good to excellent acuities. APACHE II (AUC = 0.81), Marshall score (AUC = 0.81) and PANC3 score (AUC = 0.76) revealed good accuracies. Ranson's criteria on admission (AUC = 0.70) and HAPS classification (AUC = 0.67) presented less accurate results. Optimal cutoffs for the top scoring classifications were BISAP ≥3 (sensitivity 88.3% and specificity 83.8%), Balthazar ≥2 (sensitivity 84.8% and specificity 85.3%) and Glasgow-Imrie ≥4 (sensitivity 81.0% and specificity 82.6%).

CONCLUSION

BISAP, Balthazar and Glasgow-Imrie classifications presented the best results for predicting moderate-to-severe PEP, and represent the most useful prognostic scores for risk stratification in this population.

Diagnostic Value of Serum Amylase Levels Indicating Computed Tomography-Defined Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis involves persistent serum amylase levels of 3 times or more the standard upper limit. However, these criteria were mostly based on retrospective studies and not necessarily supported by diagnostic imaging. Our prospective study aimed to investigate cutoff serum amylase levels suggesting post-ERCP pancreatitis using computed tomography as the criterion standard.

METHODS

We prospectively followed 2078 cases. Computed tomography was performed in patients whose serum amylase levels exceeded the institutional upper limit 12 to 24 hours after ERCP. Two expert radiologists blindly assessed the images and judged the presence or absence of pancreatitis. Correlations between serum amylase levels with pancreatitis were investigated using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

Amylase levels increased in 416 (23.2%) of 1789 cases included, and 350 cases were analyzed using computed tomography. Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis was diagnosed in 12.0% (214/1789). The cutoff amylase levels for judging pancreatitis after 12 to 24 hours was 2.75 times higher than the institutional upper limit, with an area under the curve of 0.77.

CONCLUSIONS

The appropriate cutoff serum amylase level for judging post-ERCP pancreatitis at 12 to 24 hours after ERCP was 2.75 times higher than the institutional upper limit. These results may clarify the definition of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Early immune response in post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis as a model for acute pancreatitis

This opinion review summarizes comparison of clinical presentation and immunology of post-endoscopic pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis (AP) of other etiology. The rationale for this topic was found in studies that mention differences in clinical presentation between these entities, stating that severe form of AP after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was more severe than AP of other etiology. Found difference in clinical presentation may have a background in different immunology that needs to be further investigated.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-induced and non-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-induced acute pancreatitis: Two distinct clinical and immunological entities?

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is common gastrointestinal disease of varied aetiology. The most common cause of AP is gallstones, followed by alcohol abuse as an independent risk factor. With the increased need for invasive techniques to treat pancreatic and bile duct pathologies such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), AP has emerged as the most frequent complication. While severe AP following ERCP is rare (0.5%), if it does develop it has a greater severity index compared to non-ERCP AP. Development of a mild form of AP after ERCP is not considered a clinically relevant condition. Differences in the clinical presentation and prognosis of the mild and severe forms have been found between non-ERCP AP and post-endoscopic pancreatitis (PEP). It has been proposed that AP and PEP may also have different immunological responses to the initial injury. In this review, we summarise the literature on clinical and inflammatory processes in PEP vs non-ERCP AP.

ERCP induced and non-ERCP-induced acute pancreatitis: Two distinct clinical entities?

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common gastrointestinal disease of varied etiology; however, the most common causes of AP are gallstones and alcohol abuse. AP has emerged as the most frequent complication after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Post-ERCP pancreatitis is generally a clinically irrelevant condition; however, it can be severe or even fatal in up to 0.8% of cases. Different clinical courses and outcomes have been observed between mild and severe AP of different etiologies (i.e., non-ERCP AP and post-ERCP AP), which opens the discussion as to whether they are the same or distinct clinical entities.

Suppository naproxen reduces incidence and severity of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: Randomized controlled trial

AIM: To determine the efficacy of rectally administered naproxen for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).

METHODS: This double-blind randomized control trial conducted from January 2013 to April 2014 at the Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center in Rasht, Iran. A total of 324 patients were selected from candidates for diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP by using the simple sampling method. Patients received a single dose of Naproxen (500 mg; n = 162) or a placebo (n = 162) per rectum immediately before ERCP. The overall incidence of PEP, incidence of mild to severe PEP, serum amylase levels and adverse effects were measured. The primary outcome measure was the development of pancreatitis onset of pain in the upper abdomen and elevation of the serum amylase level to > 3 × the upper normal limit (60-100 IU/L) within 24 h after ERCP. The severity of PEP was classified according to the duration of therapeutic intervention for PEP: mild, 2-3 d; moderate 4-10 d; and severe, > 10 d and/or necessitated surgical or intensive treatment, or contributed to death.

RESULTS: PEP occurred in 12% (40/324) of participants, and was significantly more frequent in the placebo group compared to the naproxen group (P < 0.01). Of the participants, 25.9% (84/324) developed hyperamylasemia within 2 h of procedure completion, among whom only 35 cases belonged to the naproxen group (P < 0.01). The incidence of PEP was significantly higher in female sex, in patients receiving pancreatic duct injection, more than 3 times pancreatic duct cannulations, and ERCP duration more than 40 min (Ps < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding the procedures or factors that might increase the risk of PEP, sphincterotomy, precut requirement, biliary duct injection and number of pancreatic duct cannulations. In the subgroup of patients with pancreatic duct injection, the rate of pancreatitis in the naproxen group was significantly lower than that in the placebo (6 patients vs 23 patients, P < 0.01, RRR = 12%, AR = 0.3, 95%CI: 0.2-0.6). Naproxen reduced the PEP in patients with ≥ 3 pancreatic cannulations (P < 0.01, RRR = 25%, AR = 0.1, 95%CI: 0.1-0.4) and an ERCP duration > 40 min (P < 0.01, RRR = 20%, AR = 0.9, 95%CI: 0.4-1.2).

CONCLUSION: Single dose of suppository naproxen administered immediately before ERCP reduces the incidence of PEP.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography pancreatitis: Is time for a new preventive approach?

Acute pancreatitis is the most common serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and its incidence may exceed 25% in some high-risk patient subsets. In some patients, pancreatitis may follow a severe course with pancreatic necrosis, multiorgan failure, permanent disability and even death. Hence, approaches which minimize both the incidence and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis are worth pursuing. Pancreatic stents have been used with some success in the prevention of post-ERCP, while so far pharmacological trials have yielded disappointing results. A recent multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial has shown that rectally administered indomethacin is effective in reducing the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis, the occurrence of episodes of moderate-to-severe pancreatitis and the length of hospital stay in high-risk patients. These results together with the demonstration that rectal administration of indomethacin is not associated with enhanced risk of bleeding strongly support the use of this drug in the prophylaxis of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Luminal lactate in acute pancreatitis--validation and relation to disease severity

Background

Increased rectal luminal lactate concentration may be associated with the severity of the septic shock and high dose of vasopressors. It suggests hypoperfusion of the gut mucosa. This is potentially associated with bacterial translocation from the gut leading to local and systemic inflammation. In acute pancreatitis (AP) bacterial translocation is considered as the key event leading to infection of necrotic pancreatic tissue and high severity of illness.

Methods

We used rectal luminal equilibration dialysis for the measurement of gut luminal lactate in 30 consecutive patients admitted to hospital due to acute pancreatitis to test the hypothesis that a single measurement of rectal luminal lactate predicts the severity of acute pancreatitis, the length of hospital stay, the need of intensive care and ultimately, mortality. We also tested the physiological validity of luminal lactate concentration by comparing it to luminal partial tension of oxygen. Additionally, a comparison between two different L-lactate analyzers was performed.

Results

High rectal luminal lactate was associated with low mucosal partial tension of oxygen (R = 0.57, p = 0.005) thereby indicating the physiological validity of the method. Rectal luminal lactate at the hospital admission was not associated with the first day or the highest SOFA score, CRP level, hospital length of stay, length of stay in intensive care or mortality. In this cohort of unselected consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis we observed a tendency of increased rectal lactate in the severe cases. Low precision and high bias was observed between two lactate analyzers.

Conclusions

The association between rectal luminal lactate and oxygen tension indicates that luminal lactate is a marker mucosal anaerobiosis. Comparison between two different analyzers showed poor, non-constant precision over the range of lactate concentrations. Rectal luminal lactate concentration at the time of hospital admission did not predict the severity of pancreatitis.

ERCP-induced and non-ERCP-induced acute pancreatitis: Two distinct clinical entities with different outcomes in mild and severe form?

BACKGROUND

Acute pancreatitis is a complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography. Aim of the study was to compare endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis with attacks caused by other factors.

METHODS

A series of consecutive patients with non-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis referred to our hospital in 2007-2008 were examined retrospectively, and compared with the same number of patients with post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography acute pancreatitis done in the same institution. Both groups comprised 116 patients and were comparable for mean age, sex, and body mass index. Duration of abdominal pain, pancreatic enzyme elevation, hospital stay, and type of analgesia administered were retrieved.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the groups as regards the severity of pancreatitis, mortality rate and hospitalisation, although mortality was double in severe post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography acute pancreatitis. In the mild acute pancreatitis cases, serum amylase fell 50% from the peak in a mean of 46.4h (range 24-72) in group 1 and 38.9h (range 24-72) in group 2 (p<0.001). The peak amylase serum level halved within 48h in 73.6% of cases with non-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis, and in 92% of patients with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related acute pancreatitis (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Non-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography- and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-induced pancreatitis did not differ as regards severity, hospital stay or mortality; in mild pancreatitis, serum amylase halved significantly sooner in post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography cases.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography associated pancreatitis: A 15-year review

The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. We searched for and evaluated all articles describing the diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, morbidity, mortality and prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in adult patients using the PubMed database. Search terms included endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, pancreatitis, ampulla of vater, endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon dilatation, cholangiography, adverse events, standards and utilization. We limited our review of articles to those published between January 1, 1994 and August 15, 2009 regarding human adults and written in the English language. Publications from the reference sections were reviewed and included if they were salient and fell into the time period of interest. Between the dates queried, seventeen large (> 500 patients) prospective and four large retrospective trials were conducted. PEP occurred in 1%-15% in the prospective trials and in 1%-4% in the retrospective trials. PEP was also reduced with pancreatic duct stent placement and outcomes were improved with endoscopic sphincterotomy compared to balloon sphincter dilation in the setting of choledocholithiasis. Approximately 34 pharmacologic agents have been evaluated for the prevention of PEP over the last fifteen years in 63 trials. Although 22 of 63 trials published during our period of review suggested a reduction in PEP, no pharmacologic therapy has been widely accepted in clinical use in decreasing the development of PEP. In conclusion, PEP is a well-recognized complication of ERCP. Medical treatment for prevention has been disappointing. Proper patient selection and pancreatic duct stenting have been shown to reduce the complication rate in randomized clinical trials.

Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2007

This paper is the thirtieth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2007 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.