Outcome of severe acute pancreatitis

The Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Elderly Patients With Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify the risk factors for the progression of acute pancreatitis (AP) to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and death in elderly patients.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective study conducted in a tertiary teaching hospital. Data on patient demographics, comorbidities, duration of hospitalization, complications, interventions, and mortality rates were collected.

RESULTS

Between January 2010 and January 2021, 2084 elderly patients with AP were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 70.0 years (standard deviation, 7.1 years). Among them, 324 (15.5%) had SAP and 105 died (5.0%). The 90-day mortality rate in the SAP group was significantly higher than that in the AP group (P < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that trauma, hypertension, and smoking were risk factors for SAP. After multivariate adjustment, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, sepsis, organ perforation, and abdominal hemorrhage were associated with higher 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic pancreatitis, hypertension, and smoking are independent risk factors for SAP in elderly patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury, sepsis, organ perforation, and abdominal hemorrhage are independent risk factors for death in elderly patients with AP.

The role of procalcitonin as a prognostic factor for acute cholangitis and infections in acute pancreatitis: a prospective cohort study from a European single center

BACKGROUND

Infection in acute pancreatitis will worsen the disease prognosis. The aim of our study was to analyze the role of procalcitonin as a prognostic biomarker for infections and clinical severity.

METHOD

A prospective single-cohort observational study of patients diagnosed of acute pancreatitis (n = 152) was designed. PCT determination was tested on admission (first 72 h). Infections (biliary, extrapancreatic and infected pancreatic necrosis), need for antibiotics, urgent ERCP and severity scores for acute pancreatitis was assessed. ROC curves were designed and the area under the curve was calculated. Logistic regression for multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the association between procalcitonin optimal cut-off level and major complications.

RESULTS

PCT >0.68 mg/dL had higher incidence of global infection, acute cholangitis, bacteraemia, infected pancreatic necrosis, use of antibiotics in general, and need for urgent ERCP. In the multivariate regressions analysis, PCT >0.68 mg/dL at admission demonstrated to be a strong risk factor for complications in acute pancreatitis.

DISCUSSION

PCT levels can be used as a reliable laboratory test to predict infections and the clinical severity of acute pancreatitis. High levels of PCT predict antibiotics prescription as well as the need for urgent ERCP in patients with concomitant clinically severe cholangitis.

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes between alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis: An Australian retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

To compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients presenting to hospital with alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Retrospective study of all patients with alcohol-induced or gallstone-induced pancreatitis during the period 1 June 2012 to 31 May 2016. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality. Secondary outcome measures included hospital length of stay, requirements for intensive care unit admission, intensive care unit mortality, mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, requirement of inotropes and total parenteral nutrition.

RESULTS

A total of 642 consecutive patients (49% alcohol; 51% gallstone) were included. No statistically significant differences were found between alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis with respect to hospital mortality, requirement for intensive care unit admission, intensive care unit mortality and requirement for mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, inotropes or total parenteral nutrition. There was significant difference in hospital length of stay (3.07 versus 4.84; p < 0.0001). On multivariable regression analysis, Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis score (estimate: 0.393; standard error: 0.058; p < 0.0001) and admission haematocrit (estimate: 0.025; standard error: 0.008; p = 0.002) were found to be independently associated with prolonged hospital length of stay.

CONCLUSION

Hospital mortality did not differ between patients with alcohol-induced and gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis. The duration of hospital stay was longer with gallstone-induced pancreatitis. Bedside Index of Severity in Acute Pancreatitis score and admission haematocrit were independently associated with hospital length of stay.

HSV encephalitis after successful minimally invasive debridement for infected pancreatic necrosis: A case of rare central nervous system complication

Patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) often suffer tough complications, some of which are fatal. The early diagnosis and definite treatment of central nervous system (CNS) complications have not been fully achieved yet, which seriously affects the mortality of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We present a case of infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in a 62-year Chinese man who developed acute herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) after favorable minimally invasive retroperitoneal approaches (MIRAs). The patient was successfully treated with 115 days stayed in our hospital. The MIRAs included image-guided retroperitoneal percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), nephroscopic pancreatic necrosectomy (NPN), and ultrasonic pneumatic lithotripsy system (UPLS) assisted non-narcotic sinus track necrosectomy (NSN). HSE is relatively rare and potentially life threatening. We attempt to discuss the probable risk factors and how the relatively rare HSE are related to the patients of SAP with latent HSV.

Clinical outcomes of acute pancreatitis in elderly patients: An experience of single tertiary center

BACKGROUND

Although well understanding the course of diseases in geriatric population is of paramount importance in order to provide the optimal treatment, there is only a few studies with controversial results that have been conducted about the course and outcomes of acute pancreatitis (AP) in elderly. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes of AP disease in geriatric age group and to evaluate the risk factors affecting outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 336 patients diagnosed with AP, hospitalized and followed-up in our hospital between July/2013-February/2019 were included in this study. Patients aged 65 years and over were assessed as elderly population. Patients' demographic data, comorbidities, duration of hospitalization, local systemic complications, and mortality rates were documented.

RESULTS

196(58.3%) of the patients were female with a mean age of 54.1 ± 17.9 years. The number of patients was 114(33.9%) in the elderly group and 222(66.1%) in the non-elderly group. Although there was no significant difference between both groups in terms of abscess, pseudocyst and necrosis, pancreatic necrosis and systemic complications were higher in the elderly group (p < 0.05). The durations of oral intake and hospitalization were longer, the mortality rate and severity of AP according to the Ranson and Atlanta criteria were significantly higher in the geriatric population (p < 0.05). In addition, age and severity of AP were found to be independent predictive factors of developing complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Early recognition of AP is important in the geriatric population. Clinical and laboratory investigations, and early diagnosis in severe patients will be largely helpful in providing close follow-up and the optimal treatment.

Multifactorial Scores and Biomarkers of Prognosis of Acute Pancreatitis: Applications to Research and Practice

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammation of the pancreas presented with sudden onset and severe abdominal pain with a high morbidity and mortality rate, if accompanied by severe local and systemic complications. Numerous studies have been published about the pathogenesis of AP; however, the precise mechanism behind this pathology remains unclear. Extensive research conducted over the last decades has demonstrated that the first 24 h after symptom onset are critical for the identification of patients who are at risk of developing complications or death. The identification of these subgroups of patients is crucial in order to start an aggressive approach to prevent mortality. In this sense and to avoid unnecessary overtreatment, thereby reducing the financial implications, the proper identification of mild disease is also important and necessary. A large number of multifactorial scoring systems and biochemical markers are described to predict the severity. Despite recent progress in understanding the pathophysiology of AP, more research is needed to enable a faster and more accurate prediction of severe AP. This review provides an overview of the available multifactorial scoring systems and biochemical markers for predicting severe AP with a special focus on their advantages and limitations.

Percutaneous catheter drainage combined with peritoneal dialysis for treating acute severe pancreatitis: a single-center prospective study

BACKGROUND

To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Totally 64 SAP patients were included in our study and randomly assigned into PCD+PD group (the combination group, N.=32) and convention group (N.=32). SAP patients in the combination group were treated with percutaneous catheter drainage combined with peritoneal dialysis, while those in the convention group were treated with conventional method. The treatment efficacy of both methods were evaluated by comparing levels of plasma inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and leukocyte count), relative indexes of important organs (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine and urea nitrogen) and other clinical data (amelioration time of abdominal pain and abdominal distension, Balthazar CT scores, acute physiology and chronic health enquiry II score, length of hospital stay, complications and prognosis).

RESULTS

The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased in the combination group in a time-dependent manner in comparison with those of the convention group. In addition, the amelioration time of abdominal pain and abdominal distension, length of hospital stay, Balthazar CT scores and the acute physiology and chronic health care II scores in the combination group were also significantly decreased in comparison with those of the convention group.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination treatment of PCD and PD effectively relieves the clinical symptoms of SAP by clearing plasma inflammatory cytokines.

Management of Acute Pancreatitis in the Pediatric Population: A Clinical Report From the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Pancreas Committee

BACKGROUND

Although the incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) in children is increasing, management recommendations rely on adult published guidelines. Pediatric-specific recommendations are needed.

METHODS

The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Pancreas committee performed a MEDLINE review using several preselected key terms relating to management considerations in adult and pediatric AP. The literature was summarized, quality of evidence reviewed, and statements of recommendations developed. The authorship met to discuss the evidence, statements, and voted on recommendations. A consensus of at least 75% was required to approve a recommendation.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of pediatric AP should follow the published INternational Study Group of Pediatric Pancreatitis: In Search for a CuRE definitions (by meeting at least 2 out of 3 criteria: (1) abdominal pain compatible with AP, (2) serum amylase and/or lipase values ≥3 times upper limits of normal, (3) imaging findings consistent with AP). Adequate fluid resuscitation with crystalloid appears key especially within the first 24 hours. Analgesia may include opioid medications when opioid-sparing measures are inadequate. Pulmonary, cardiovascular, and renal status should be closely monitored particularly within the first 48 hours. Enteral nutrition should be started as early as tolerated, whether through oral, gastric, or jejunal route. Little evidence supports the use of prophylactic antibiotics, antioxidants, probiotics, and protease inhibitors. Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasonography have limited roles in diagnosis and management. Children should be carefully followed for development of early or late complications and recurrent attacks of AP.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical report represents the first English-language recommendations for the management of pediatric AP. Future aims should include prospective multicenter pediatric studies to further validate these recommendations and optimize care for children with AP.

Severe acute pancreatitis-related renal injury in rats at different altitudes

AIM

To compare severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-induced renal injury in rats at different altitudes.

METHODS

SAP was induced in rats by injecting 4.5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreas at different time points. Control rats underwent a sham operation (touching the pancreas only after opening the abdominal cavity). Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta at different time points to determine serum levels of amylase (AMY), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Pancreas tissues were collected and stained with HE to perform histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of serum AMY, Cr, and BUN were significantly higher in the SAP group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of serum AMY, Cr, and BUN in the SAP group differed significantly at the same time point at different altitudes (P < 0.05) or at different time points at the same altitude (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in pancreatic histopathological score between the two groups (P < 0.05). The histopathological score in the SAP group differed significantly at the same time point at different altitudes (P < 0.05) or at different time points at the same altitude (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The development and progression of renal injury are aggravated at high altitudes.

集束化护理在重症急性胰腺患者胃肠功能恢复中的应用

重症急性胰腺炎(severe acute pancreatitis, SAP)是临床中常见的发病率高、并发症多、死亡率较高的疾病, 其死亡的主要原因是并发了不同程度的多器官功能障碍综合征(multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, MODS), 全身炎症反应综合征(systemic inflammatory response syndrome, SIRS)是导致MODS的重要基础, 而胃肠功能障碍又是激发SIRS的源头. 因此, 胃肠功能障碍在该病的发生发展过程中起重要作用, 早期胃肠功能恢复有助于疾病的恢复和并发症的预防. 集束化护理的运用, 可以使每一位患者在有限的时间内, 得到最有效的治疗, 这是集束化护理最突出的特点. 文章就集束化护理在SAP患者的胃肠功能恢复中的应用进行简要综述, 为临床工作提供循证参考.

Natural History After Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis: a Large US Tertiary Care Experience

BACKGROUND

Most studies of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) focus on short-term outcomes. We evaluated long-term survival and outcomes following ANP.

METHODS

Patients treated for ANP at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center from 2001 to 2008 were studied. Data on presentation and course during initial hospitalization and follow-up (median 34 months) was extracted.

RESULTS

Mean age of patients (n = 167) was 53 ± 16 years; 70 % were male, 94 % white, 71 % transfers, 52 % biliary etiology, and 78 % had first-attack of acute pancreatitis. Majority had severe disease with high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score (median 11), length of stay (median 26 days), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (87 %), presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (90 %), persistent organ failure (60 %), and infected necrosis (50 %). Intervention was needed in 74 %. Eighteen (10.8 %) patients died during index hospitalization, 9 (5.4 %) during the first year, and 13 (7.8 %) after 1 year. Median survival was significantly shorter when compared with age- and sex-matched US general population (9.1 vs. 26.1 years, p < 0.001). Increasing age (HR 1.05), persistent organ failure (HR 4.5), and >50 % necrosis (HR 3.8) were independent predictors of death at 1 year. In eligible patients, new-onset diabetes, oral pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, and disability were noted in 45, 25, and 53 %, respectively.

CONCLUSION

ANP significantly impacts long-term survival. A high proportion of patients develop functional derangement and disability following ANP.

A Low Impact Approach to Infected Pancreatic Necrosis: Review of a Case Series

BACKGROUND

Infected pancreatic necrosis develops in approximately one third of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality rates. Historically, open necrosectomy has been the mainstay of management for these patients but is in itself a morbid procedure. In recent times, minimally invasive techniques have evolved to allow a less invasive approach to these patients. Percutaneous catheter drainage of infected pancreatic necrosis is a technique that has been demonstrated to be potentially useful in the treatment of this group of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of this study was to review outcomes and define the technique of percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. All patients with infected pancreatic necrosis were exclusively treated with percutaneous drainage over the study period. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, number and size of drains, drainage technique and drain management, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, nutritional requirements, and morbidity and mortality data were evaluated for the patient group. Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess the progression of the disease process and the effectiveness of the treatment.

RESULTS

There were nine patients with infected pancreatic necrosis in this case series between 2007 and 2012, all of whom were treated with percutaneous catheter drainage alone. The median APACHE II score in the patient group was 11, with a median stay in the ICU of 3 d and median hospital stay of 41 d. On average, nine CT scans were performed per patient during the hospital admission. A median of three drains were inserted per patient, and in the course of the study, it was evident that the larger drain size was the most effective. In eight of the nine patients in the group, complications developed that were both directly and indirectly related to the pancreatitis, but were effectively managed. There were no deaths.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous catheter drainage as a stand-alone intervention is an alternative strategy for infected pancreatic necrosis and can be used with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates in this challenging group of patients.

Clinical practice guideline: management of acute pancreatitis

ABSTRACT

There has been an increase in the incidence of acute pancreatitis reported worldwide. Despite improvements in access to care, imaging and interventional techniques, acute pancreatitis continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis, recent studies auditing the clinical management of the condition have shown important areas of noncompliance with evidence-based recommendations. This underscores the importance of creating understandable and implementable recommendations for the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis. The purpose of the present guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of both mild and severe acute pancreatitis as well as the management of complications of acute pancreatitis and of gall stone-induced pancreatitis.

The revised Atlanta criteria 2012 altered the classification, severity assessment and management of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The Atlanta criteria for acute pancreatitis (AP) has been revised recently. This study was to evaluate its practical value in classification of AP, the severity assessment and management.

METHODS

The clinical features, severity classification, outcome and risk factors for mortality of 3212 AP patients who had been admitted in Ruijin Hospital from 2004 to 2011 were analyzed based on the revised Atlanta criteria (RAC) and the original Atlanta criteria (OAC).

RESULTS

Compared to the OAC group, the incidence of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) was decreased by approximately one half (13.9% vs 28.2%) in the RAC group. The RAC presented a lower sensitivity but higher specificity, and its predictive value for severity and poor outcome was higher than those of the OAC. The proportion of SAP diagnosis and ICU admission in the early phase in the RAC group was significantly lower than that in the OAC group (P<0.05). Based on the RAC, the risk factors for death among SAP patients were older age, high CT severity index (CTSI), renal failure, cardiovascular failure, acute necrotic collection and walled-off necrosis. Compared to the OAC, the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, Ranson score, idiopathic etiology, respiratory failure and laparotomy debridement were not risk factors of death in contrast to walled-off necrosis. Interestingly, hypertriglyceridemia-related SAP had good outcomes in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The RAC showed a higher predictive value for severity and poorer outcome than the OAC. However, the RAC resulted in fewer ICU admissions in the early phase due to its lower sensitivity for diagnosis of SAP. Among SAP cases, older age, high CTSI, renal and cardiovascular failure, complications of acute necrotic collection and walled-off necrosis were independent risk factors for mortality.

Compliance with Evidence-Based Guidelines in Acute Pancreatitis: an Audit of Practices in University of Toronto Hospitals

Despite existing evidence-based practice guidelines for the management of acute pancreatitis, clinical compliance with recommendations is poor. We conducted a retrospective review of 248 patients admitted between 2010 and 2012 with acute pancreatitis at eight University of Toronto affiliated hospitals. We included all patients admitted to ICU (52) and 25 ward patients from each site (196). Management was compared with the most current evidence used in the Best Practice in General Surgery Management of Acute Pancreatitis Guideline. Fifty-six patients (22.6 %) had only serum lipase tested for biochemical diagnosis. Admission ultrasound was performed in 174 (70.2 %) patients, with 69 (27.8 %) undergoing ultrasound and CT. Of non-ICU patients, 158 (80.6 %) were maintained nil per os, and only 18 (34.6 %) ICU patients received enteral nutrition, commencing an average 7.5 days post-admission. Fifty (25.5 %) non-ICU patients and 25 (48.1 %) ICU patients received prophylactic antibiotics. Only 24 patients (22.6 %) with gallstone pancreatitis underwent index admission cholecystectomy. ERCP with sphincterotomy was under-utilized among patients with biliary obstruction (16 [31 %]) and candidates for prophylactic sphincterotomy (18 [22 %]). Discrepancies exist between the most current evidence and clinical practice within the University of Toronto hospitals. A guideline, knowledge translation strategy, and assessment of barriers to clinical uptake are required to change current clinical practice.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging indicates the severity of acute pancreatitis

PURPOSE

To test the use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to differentiate between different degrees of severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHOD

Thirty-six patients who underwent DW-MRI and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were divided into patients with mild AP (mAP, n = 15), patients with necrotizing AP (nAP, n = 8), and patients with a normal pancreas (nP, n = 15; controls). The pancreas was divided into head, body, and tail, and each segment was classified according to image features: pattern 1, normal; pattern 2, mild inflammation; and pattern 3, necrosis. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured in each segment and correlated with clinical diagnoses.

RESULTS

A total of 108 segments was assessed (three segments per patient). Segments classified as pattern 1 in the nP and mAP groups showed similar ADC values (P = 0.29). ADC values calculated for the pancreatic segments grouped according to the different image patterns (1-3) were significantly different (P < 0.001). Comparisons revealed significant differences in signal intensity between all three patterns (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

DW-MRI was a compatible and safe image option to differentiate tissue image patterns in patients with mAP, nAP, and nP, mainly in those with contraindications to contrast-enhanced MRI (which is classically required for determining the presence of necrosis) or computed tomography. ADC measures allowed precise differentiation between patterns 1, 2, and 3.

Determinant-based classification and revision of the Atlanta classification, which one should we choose to categorize acute pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND

Two new systems of acute pancreatitis (AP) severity classification, namely, the determinant-based classification (DBC) and the revision of the Atlanta classification (RAC), were recently published. Information is lacking on the differences between the two systems.

METHODS

We analyzed data from adult patients with AP (973 episodes), admitted to West China Hospital from July 2012 through March 2013. We validated and compared the DBC and RAC systems by investigating the discordances between the RAC and DBC.

RESULTS

Using the RAC system, 66%, 27%, and 7% of the patients were categorized as mild, moderately severe, and severe, respectively. Using the DBC system, 83%, 7%, 7%, and 2% patients were determined to have mild, moderate, severe, and critical AP, respectively. The mortality and ICU admission rates were similar between the subgroups of the severe category under the RAC system. The severe and critical categories had similar mortality rates [35% (7/20) vs. 29% (20/70), P = 0.59] based on DBC. A subgroup of severe category of DBC (IPN and no persistent OF) had significantly lower mortality rate than the other two subgroups of severe category of DBC (SPN and persistent OF; persistent OF and no PN) [0% (0/18) vs. 29% (10/34) vs. 56% (10/18), P < 0.05].

CONCLUSION

Some subgroups of severe categories under the DBC system did not accurately reflected clinical outcomes. RAC seemed to be a better choice to guide the selection of patient populations for clinical research and provide a more accurate description of AP classification in the clinical setting than DBC.

The role of organ failure and infection in necrotizing pancreatitis: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the roles of organ failure and infection in the outcome of necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND

Results of previous cohort studies that focused on the roles of infection and organ failure in acute pancreatitis are controversial.

METHODS

In this study, we collected the medical records of 447 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis from January 2009 to June 2012. Data associated with organ failure and infection were analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall mortality rate was 13% (58/447). Intervention was performed in 223 of 447 patients. Among these 223 patients, 134 were confirmed to be with infected necrosis by a positive culture. The mortality rate was 15% (13/89) in the sterile necrosis group and 18% (24/134) in the infected necrosis group (P = 0.52). A multivariate analysis of death predictors indicated that bacteremia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-5.46, P < 0.001), age (OR = 1.07, 95% CI, 1.03-1.11, P < 0.001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (OR = 3.56, 95% CI, 1.65-7.18, P = 0.001), persistent organ failure in the first week (OR = 16.72, 95% CI, 7.04-32.56, P < 0.001), and pancreatic necrosis (OR = 1.73, 95% CI, 1.14-2.98, P = 0.008) were significant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, the effects of organ failure on mortality are more critical than those of infection. Bacteremia, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, persistent organ failure in the first week, and pancreatic necrosis were identified as the predictors of mortality.

Plasma copeptin levels are associated with prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis

Copeptin reflects the individual stress level, and is correlated with outcomes of critical illness. This study was designed to evaluate its relationship with disease severity, local complications, organ failure and mortality of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Seventy-eight SAP patients and 78 sex- and age-matched healthy individuals were recruited. Plasma samples were obtained on admission from SAP patients and at study entry from healthy individuals. Copeptin concentration was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Plasma copeptin level was obviously higher in patients than in healthy individuals, was identified as an independent predictor of local complications, organ failure and in-hospital mortality, was highly associated with traditional predictors of disease severity and mortality including the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Care Evaluation II score, Ranson score, multiple organ dysfunction score, sequential organ failure assessment score, and predicted local complications, organ failure, and in-hospital mortality of SAP patients with high areas under receiver operating characteristic curve. Furthermore, its predictive value was similar to the traditional predictors'. However, it could not improve these traditional predictors' predictive values. Therefore, increased plasma copeptin level is associated with disease severity and identified as a novel prognostic marker of local complications, organ failure and mortality after SAP.

Laparoscopic pancreatic resections

PURPOSE

Pancreatic surgery is technically complex and requires considerable expertise. Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery adds the need for considerable experience with advanced laparoscopic techniques. Despite the technical difficulties, an increasing number of centers propagate the use of laparoscopy in pancreatic surgery over the last decade.

METHODS

In this review, we provide an overview of the literature regarding the advantages and disadvantages of laparoscopic pancreatic surgery. Larger prospective randomized studies have emerged in the subset of laparoscopic or retroperitoneoscopic surgery for acute pancreatitis, considerable single center experience has been reported for laparoscopic pancreatic tail resection, and laparoscopic pancreatic head resection, however, is still restricted to a few experienced centers worldwide.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is becoming more and more established, in particular for the treatment of benign and premalignant lesions of the pancreatic body and tail. It has been shown to decrease postoperative pain, narcotic use, and length of hospital stay in larger single center experience. However, prospective trials are needed in laparoscopic resective pancreatic surgery to evaluate its advantages, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of pancreatic neoplasms and in particular in malignant pancreatic tumors.

Roles of BN52021 in platelet-activating factor pathway in inflammatory MS1 cells

AIM: To determine the effects of BN52021 on platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) signaling molecules under lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory conditions in MS1 cells.

METHODS: MS1 cells (a mouse pancreatic islet endothelial cell line) were grown in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mmol/L glutamine and 100 μg/mL penicillin/streptomycin in 5% CO₂ at 37 °C. After growth to confluency in media, the cells were processed for subsequent studies. The MS1 cells received 0, 0.1, 1 and 10 μg/mL LPS in this experiment. The viability/proliferation of the cells induced by LPS was observed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay. Apoptosis and necrosis of the cells under the inflammatory condition described previously were observed using Hoechst 33342-propidium iodide staining. Adenylate cyclase (AC), phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ), protein tyrosine kinase (PTK), G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) mRNA in the PAFR signaling pathway were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression level of phosphorylated AC (p-AC), phosphorylated PLA₂ (p-PLA₂), phosphorylated PTK (p-PTK), phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38 MAPK), PLCβ and GRK was measured using Western blotting analysis.

RESULTS: The activity of MS1 cells incubated with different concentrations of LPS for 6 h decreased significantly in the 1 μg/mL LPS group (0.49 ± 0.10 vs 0.67 ± 0.13, P < 0.05) and 10 μg/mL LPS group (0.44 ± 0.10 vs 0.67 ± 0.13, P < 0.001), but not in 0.1 μg/mL group. When the incubation time was extended to 12 h (0.33 ± 0.05, 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.25 ± 0.03 vs 0.69 ± 0.01) and 24 h (0.31 ± 0.01, 0.29 ± 0.03 and 0.25 ± 0.01 vs 0.63 ± 0.01), MS1 cell activity decreased in all LPS concentration groups compared with the blank control (P < 0.001). BN52021 significantly improved the cell activity when its concentration reached 50 μmol/L compared with the group that received LPS treatment alone, which was consistent with the results obtained from fluorescence staining. The mRNAs levels of AC (4.02 ± 0.14 vs 1.00 ± 0.13), GRK (2.63 ± 0.03 vs 1.00 ± 0.12), p38 MAPK (3.87 ± 0.07 vs 1.00 ± 0.17), PLA₂ (3.31 ± 0.12 vs 1.00 ± 0.12), PLCβ (2.09 ± 0.08 vs 1.00 ± 0.06) and PTK (1.85 ± 0.07 vs 1.00 ± 0.11) were up-regulated after LPS stimulation as compared with the blank control (P < 0.05). The up-regulated mRNAs including AC (2.35 ± 0.13 vs 3.87 ± 0.08), GRK (1.17 ± 0.14 vs 2.65 ± 0.12), p38 MAPK (1.48 ± 0.18 vs 4.30 ± 0.07), PLCβ (1.69 ± 0.10 vs 2.41 ± 0.13) and PLA₂ (1.87 ± 0.11 vs 2.96 ± 0.08) were significantly suppressed by BN52021 except for that of PTK. The level of p-AC (1.11 ± 0.12 vs 0.65 ± 0.08), GRK (0.83 ± 0.07 vs 0.50 ± 0.03), PLCβ (0.83 ± 0.16 vs 0.50 ± 0.10) and p-p38 MAPK (0.74 ± 0.10 vs 0.38 ± 0.05) was up-regulated after LPS stimulation as compared with the blank control (P < 0.05). The up-regulated proteins, including p-AC (0.65 ± 0.15 vs 1.06 ± 0.14), GRK (0.47 ± 0.10 vs 0.80 ± 0.06), PLCβ (0.47 ± 0.04 vs 0.80 ± 0.19) and p-p38 MAPK (0.30 ± 0.10 vs 0.97 ± 0.05), was significantly suppressed by BN52021, but p-PLA₂ and p-PTK protein level were not suppressed.

CONCLUSION: BN52021 could effectively inhibit LPS-induced inflammation by down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of AC, GRK, p38 MAPK, PLA₂ and PLCβ in the PAFR signaling pathway.

Increased admission serum estradiol level is correlated with high mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Sexual dimorphism in critical diseases has been documented. Severe acute pancreatitis is a disease with high mortality. We hypothesized that admission sex hormone levels may be used as an early predictor of outcome in these patients.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to the intensive care unit for at least 48 h were enrolled (n = 62). Serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone were determined on admission. The association of sex hormone levels and various disease severity scoring systems with patient outcome was analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no difference in overall mortality between the sexes. However, estradiol was significantly elevated in nonsurvivors (39 vs. 206 pg/mL, p < 0.001). The estradiol level was the best single-variable predictor of mortality (area under the curve 0.97), followed by the sequential organ failure assessment score, the multiple organ dysfunction score, and the acute physiology and chronic health care evaluation II (APACHE II) score. A serum estradiol level of 102 pg/mL was both sensitive and specific to predict mortality. There were no differences between survivors and non-survivors in terms of age, body mass index, or progesterone and testosterone levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Admission serum estradiol level is a good marker of disease severity and predictor of death in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Clinical effects of pulse high-volume hemofiltration on severe acute pancreatitis complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

To evaluate the effects of pulse high-volume hemofiltration (PHVHF) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Thirty patients were divided into two groups: PHVHF group and continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) group. They were evaluated in terms of clinical symptoms, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, simplified acute physiology (SAPS) II score and biochemical changes. The levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in plasma were assessed by ELISA before and after treatment. The doses of dopamine used in shock patients were also analyzed. In the two groups, symptoms were markedly improved after treatment. Body temperature (BT), breath rate (BR), heart rate (HR), APACHE II score, SOFA score, SAPS II score, serum amylase, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein were decreased after hemofiltration (P < 0.05). The PHVHF group was superior to the CVVH group, especially in APACHE II score, CRP (P < 0.01), HR, temperature, SOFA score and SAPS II score (P < 0.05). The doses of dopamine for shock patients were also decreased in the two groups (P < 0.05), with more reduction in the PHVHF group than the CVVH group (P < 0.05). The levels of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α decreased (P < 0.05) in the PHVHF group more significantly than the CVVH group (P < 0.01). PHVHF appears to be superior to CVVH in the treatment of SAP with MODS.

Audit of patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to an intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. We undertook a study of patients with SAP admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary referral hospital.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2007, 50 patients with SAP were admitted in our intensive care unit (ICU). Data were collected from their medical records and their clinical profile, course and outcome were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into survivor and nonsurvivor groups, and were further classified based on interventions such as percutaneous drainage and surgical necrosectomy.

RESULTS

SAP contributed 5 % of total ICU admissions during the study period. Median age of survivors (n = 20) was 34 against 44 years in nonsurvivors (n = 30). Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score in nonsurvivors was 16.5 (8-32) vs. 12.5 (5-20) in survivors (p = 0.002). Patients with APACHE II score ≥12 had mortality >80 % compared to 23 % with score <12 (p < 0.001). Median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores on admission and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 were significantly higher in nonsurvivors compared to survivors (p < 0.05). Mean (SD) intraabdominal pressure was 23 (3.37) mmHg in nonsurvivors vs. 19.05 (2.51) in survivors (p < 0.05). Patients with renal failure had significant mortality (p < 0.001). Length of ICU stay, requirement for vasopressor, total parenteral nutrition, and the amount of blood and blood product transfusions differed significantly between patients with and without intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

APACHE II and SOFA scores and other clinical data correlated with outcome in SAP admitted to ICU.

Minimally invasive operations for acute necrotizing pancreatitis: comparison of minimally invasive retroperitoneal necrosectomy with endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy

BACKGROUND

A "step-up" approach is currently the treatment of choice for acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of minimally invasive retroperitoneal necrosectomy (MINE) and endoscopic transgastric necrosectomy (ETG) and to compare it to open necrosectomy (ONE).

METHODS

Patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our institution from 1998 to 2010 (n = 334) were identified. From these, patients who underwent either ONE, MINE, or ETG were selected for further analysis. Statistical analysis employed 2-sided Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULTS

From 2002 to 2010, 32 patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis were treated by minimally invasive procedures including MINE (n = 14) and ETG (n = 18) or with the classic technique of ONE (n = 30). Time from onset of symptoms to intervention was less for ONE than for MINE or ETG (median, 11 vs 39 vs 54 days; P < .05). The rate of critically ill patients with sepsis or septic shock was greatest in ONE (93%) and MINE (71%) compared with ETG (17%; P < .05). Problems after ONE and MINE were ongoing sepsis (ONE 73% vs MINE 29% vs ETG 11%) and bleeding requiring intervention (ONE 26% vs MINE 21% vs ETG 17%). A specific complication of ETG was gastric perforation into the peritoneal cavity during the procedure (28%), requiring immediate open pseudocystogastrostomy. Laparotomy was necessary in 21% after MINE and 28% after ETG owing to specific complications or persistent infected necrosis. Overall mortality was greatest after ONE (ONE 63% vs MINE 21% vs ETG 6%; P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Morbidity and mortality remains high in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Operative procedures should be delayed as long as possible to decrease morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive procedures can avoid laparotomy, but also introduce specific complications requiring immediate or secondary open operative treatment. Minimally invasive procedures require unique expertise and therefore should only be performed at specialized centers.

Significance of BISAP combined with coagulation parameters in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis

AIM: To explore the significance of BISAP (bedside index for severity in AP) combined with coagulation parameters in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients with AP who were admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from 2008 to 2012 were included in this study. The BISAP and APACHE-Ⅱ scores were calculated using data from the first 24 h from admission and the Ranson's score using data from the first 48 h. CTSI was calculated in patients who underwent CECT within 72 h from onset. The activated partial thromboplastic time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer, fibrinogen (FIB) and platelet (PLT) were measured within the first 24 h from admission. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was calculated to explore the significance of BISAP combined with coagulation parameters in predicting the severity of AP.

RESULTS: Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that D-dimer was an independent predictor of the severity of AP. Increased BISAP score is associated with an increased risk of severe AP (SAP). Taking 2 as the cutoff value for SAP, we obtained the maximum Youden index. The AUC for BISAP in predicting SAP was 0.836 (95%CI: 0.776-0.896), and the BISAP score performed similar to the three "traditional" scoring systems. BISAP score combined with D-dimer (BISAP^+D) could improve the predictive validity.

CONCLUSION: BISAP score is an accurate means for predicting the severity of AP, and BISAP^+D score may enhance the accuracy of early prediction of SAP.

The revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis: its importance for the radiologist and its effect on treatment

An international working group has modified the Atlanta classification for acute pancreatitis to update the terminology and provide simple functional clinical and morphologic classifications. The modifications (a) address the clinical course and severity of disease, (b) divide acute pancreatitis into interstitial edematous pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis, (c) distinguish an early phase (1st week) and a late phase (after the 1st week), and (d) emphasize systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multisystem organ failure. In the 1st week, only clinical parameters are important for treatment planning. After the 1st week, morphologic criteria defined on the basis of computed tomographic findings are combined with clinical parameters to help determine care. This revised classification introduces new terminology for pancreatic fluid collections. Depending on presence or absence of necrosis, acute collections in the first 4 weeks are called acute necrotic collections or acute peripancreatic fluid collections. Once an enhancing capsule develops, persistent acute peripancreatic fluid collections are referred to as pseudocysts; and acute necrotic collections, as walled-off necroses. All can be sterile or infected. Terms such as pancreatic abscess and intrapancreatic pseudocyst have been abandoned. The goal is for radiologists, gastroenterologists, surgeons, and pathologists to use the revised classifications to standardize imaging terminology to facilitate treatment planning and enable precise comparison of results among different departments and institutions.

Effect of ageing on systemic inflammatory response in acute pancreatitis

Elderly patients show increased incidence of multiple organ dysfunction in acute pancreatitis possibly due to bacterial translocation. This is associated with increased susceptibility to infections in older people. Several reports have related this increased susceptibility to a proinflammatory status called inflammaging, which decreases the capacity of the immunological system to respond to antigens. Cellular senescence also contributes to this low-grade chronic inflammation in older subjects. We discuss here the effect of ageing on systemic inflammation, focusing on that induced by acute pancreatitis and some of the mechanisms involved. It is important to understand the immunological changes in the elderly to adjust treatment strategies in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with acute pancreatitis and other conditions that lead to systemic inflammation.

Severe acute pancreatitis: advances and insights in assessment of severity and management

The patients with acute pancreatitis are at risk to develop different complications from ongoing pancreatic inflammation. Often, there is no correlation between the degree of structural damage to pancreas and clinical manifestation of the disease. The effectiveness of any treatment is related to the ability to predict severity accurately, but there is no ideal predictive system or biochemical marker. Severity assessment is indispensable to the selection of proper initial treatment in the management of acute pancreatitis. The use of multiparametric criteria and the evaluation of severity index permit us to select high-risk patients. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scanning and contrast-enhanced MRI play an important role in severity assessment. The adoption of multiparametric criteria proposed together with morphological evaluation consents the formulation of a discreetly reliable prognosis on the evolution of the disease a few days from onset.

Update of the Atlanta Classification of severity of acute pancreatitis: should a moderate category be included?

BACKGROUND

Persistent and multiple organ failure (POF and MOF) are predictive of death in acute pancreatitis (AP). Local complications without organ failure are associated with morbidity but a low risk of mortality.

AIM

To design a three-category classification of AP severity and to compare it with the Atlanta Classification (AC) in terms of morbidity and mortality.

METHOD

Severe AP was defined as death, POF (>48 h) or MOF. Moderate AP was defined as the presence of acute collections and/or pancreatic necrosis. Mild AP was defined by exclusion. We compared this classification with AC in 144 episodes of AP.

RESULTS

In the three-category classification, severe AP was associated with significantly more frequent intensive care unit admission, invasive treatment and mortality than moderate and mild AP (p < 0.01). Severe AP patients required longer hospital stay and more nutritional support than mild AP patients (p < 0.01). Patients with moderate AP had significantly longer hospital stay and more need for nutritional support than patients with mild AP (p < 0.01). Five patients died, all of them with MOF and/or POF.

CONCLUSIONS

A three-category classification distinguishes three homogeneous groups of severity.

Organ failure and infection of pancreatic necrosis as determinants of mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is no consistency between the individual studies in the literature on whether organ failure (OF) or infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is the main determinant of severity in acute pancreatitis. We aimed to statistically aggregate the available data and determine the pooled influence of OF and IPN on mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

The search for relevant observational studies was undertaken in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus electronic databases, as well as in the proceedings of major gastroenterology meetings. The summary estimates are presented as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Fourteen studies comprising 1478 patients with acute pancreatitis were meta-analyzed. A total of 600 patients developed OF and 179 of them died (mortality, 30%); 314 patients developed IPN and 102 of them died (mortality, 32%). In a stratified analysis, patients with OF and IPN had a significantly higher risk of death in comparison with patients with OF and no IPN (RR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.32-2.85; P = .0007) and in comparison with patients with IPN and no OF (RR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.30-5.40; P = .0007).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute pancreatitis, the absolute influence of OF and IPN on mortality is comparable and thus the presence of either indicates severe disease. The relative risk of mortality doubles when OF and IPN are both present and indicates extremely severe disease or critical acute pancreatitis.

Advances in management of severe acute pancreatitis

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a systemic disease that can induce many complications such as multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and cause a high mortality rate. Because of the complicated pathogenesis of SAP, a comprehensive treatment program involving internal medicine, surgery, endoscopic intervention, Chinese traditional medicine and biological treatment, is needed. This article reviews the recent advances in management of SAP.

Combination of hemofiltration and peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to study the therapeutic effects and the mechanism of combination of hemofiltration (HF) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS

Fifty-one cases of SAP were randomly divided into the HF+PD group (treated group, 36 patients) and the non-HF+PD group (control group, 15 patients). Both groups were treated by the same traditional methods. The relief time of abdominal pain and abdominal distension, computed tomographic scores, acute physiology and chronic health enquiry II scores, length of stay, cost of hospitalization, operability, and recovery rate of the 2 groups were compared. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8 in serum and ascites volumes was determined before and after treatment.

RESULTS

: The mean time of abdominal pain relief, amelioration of abdominal distension, decrease of computed tomographic scores, acute physiology and chronic health enquiry II scores, the mean length of stay, and cost of hospitalization of the treated group were significantly shorter or less than those of the control group. The aforementioned inflammatory cytokines, detected at the end of 1 day and 2 days after HF+PD treatment, were decreased significantly compared with those observed in pretherapy and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory cytokines, which overproduced in SAP, can be eliminated effectively from the blood and the ascites by HF+PD treatment.

A prospective evaluation of the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis score in assessing mortality and intermediate markers of severity in acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the ability of the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score to predict mortality as well as intermediate markers of severity in a tertiary center.

METHODS

The BISAP score was evaluated among 397 consecutive cases of acute pancreatitis admitted to our institution between June 2005 and December 2007. BISAP scores were calculated on all cases using data within 24 h of presentation. The ability of the BISAP score to predict mortality was evaluated using trend and discrimination analysis. The optimal cutoff score for mortality from the receiver operating curve was used to evaluate the development of organ failure, persistent organ failure, and pancreatic necrosis.

RESULTS

Among 397 cases, there were 14 (3.5%) deaths. There was a statistically significant trend for increasing mortality (P < 0.0001) with increasing BISAP score. The area under the receiver operating curve for mortality by BISAP score in the prospective cohort was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 0.95), which was similar to that of the previously published validation cohort. A BISAP score >or=3 was associated with an increased risk of developing organ failure (odds ratio=7.4, 95% confidence interval: 2.8, 19.5), persistent organ failure (odds ratio=12.7, 95% confidence interval: 4.7, 33.9), and pancreatic necrosis (odds ratio=3.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.8, 8.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The BISAP score represents a simple way to identify patients at risk of increased mortality and the development of intermediate markers of severity within 24 h of presentation. This risk stratification capability can be utilized to improve clinical care and facilitate enrollment in clinical trials.

Computed tomographic prognostic factors for predicting local complications in patients with pancreatic necrosis

This prospective study aimed at evaluating dynamic computed tomography (CT) as a prognostic indicator of local complications in patients with pancreatic necrosis.

METHODS

We analyze the relationship between the anatomic pattern of pancreatic necrosis at dynamic CT (pancreatic necrosis, peripancreatic necrosis, and transparenchymal necrosis) and the development of local complications (infected pancreatic necrosis and pseudocyst).

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-eight patients were included in the study. Nine patients were excluded, and 86 required surgery. Average time from the onset of symptoms to dynamic CT was 8.3 days. Multivariate analysis identified the following prognostic factors for local complications: (1) extent of pancreatic necrosis (odds ratio [OR], 7.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-23.76; P = 0.015) and presence of peripancreatic necrosis (OR, 37.32; 95% CI, 3.77-369.38; P = 0.002) were useful to predict the development of infected pancreatic necrosis; and (2) transparenchymal necrosis with upstream viable (enhancing) pancreas (OR, 36.22; 95% CI, 3.18-412.36; P = 0.004) and no peripancreatic necrosis (OR, 0.016; 95% CI, 0.004-0.62; P < 0.001) were associated with pseudocyst development.

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic CT prognostic factors useful to predict local complications in patients with pancreatic necrosis were the extent of pancreatic necrosis, presence of peripancreatic necrosis, and the finding of transparenchymal necrosis with upstream viable (enhancing) pancreas.

What is the outcome for patients presenting with severe acute pancreatitis requiring a hospital stay of more than one month?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical progression of patients who had severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and a stay in hospital of more than a month.

METHODS

A total of 24 patients (median age: 57 years) were included in this eight-year retrospective study. Cure was defined as the restoration of the pancreatic parenchyma, and the disappearance of all pseudocysts and pancreatic fistulae. Data including the duration of hospital stay, disease severity and pancreatic sequelae were also collected.

RESULTS

The median total duration of the hospital stay was 67 days. The overall mortality rate was 20.8%, whereas the mortality rate due to AP was 12.5%. The average healing period was 7.7 months. On univariate analysis, patients who also had respiratory diseases, chronic alcoholism, necrotizing superinfection, pseudocyst, food intolerance and/or hospital-acquired infection took significantly longer to heal. After cure, we observed pancreatic and/or hepatic duct stenoses in 50% of cases, and the onset or aggravation of diabetes in 25%.

CONCLUSION

In patients hospitalized for more than one month because of necrotizing AP, the rate of mortality is around 20%, with a final hospital stay of two months and a healing period of more than seven months. In addition, half of the patients presented with pancreatic or biliary sequelae.

Value of pancreatic antibiotic concentration in treatment of secondary infection of serve acute pancreatitis

Secondary pancreatic infection represents the most serious complication with fatal outcome in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Preventing and curing secondary infection of pancreas is the key obstacle to minimize the mortality of these patients. The studies on blood-pancreatic juice barrier as well as penetration and pancreatic tissue concentration of antibiotics have improved the antibiotic prophylaxis or treatment of pancreatic infection. In the future, potential therapeutics that can enhance the antibiotic concentration and efficacy may help to prevent and treat the secondary infection of SAP.

The impact of hospital-acquired infection on outcome in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Little is known regarding the impact of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in acute pancreatitis (AP). We conducted a population-based assessment of the impact of HAI on outcome in AP.

METHODS

Patient data were obtained from the Cardinal Health Clinical Outcomes Research Database, a large population-based data set. Cases with principal diagnosis by International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, clinical modification 577.0 (AP) between January 2004 and January 2005 were identified. These cases were linked with recently reported HAI data collected by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. Identification of HAI was based on definitions set forth by the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System. We conducted a 5:1 multivariate propensity-matched cohort study to determine the independent contribution of HAI to in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges.

RESULTS

From 177 participating hospitals, there were 11,046 AP cases identified. Eighty-two (0.7%) patients developed an HAI. Mortality in the overall AP population was 1.2% vs 11.4% among 405 matched non-HAI controls vs 28.4% among patients who developed HAI (chi(2) test, P < .0001). Fifteen percent of all deaths was associated with an HAI. Both average LOS and hospital charges were significantly increased among patients with HAI compared with matched non-HAI controls.

CONCLUSIONS

We determined that HAI had a major impact on mortality in AP. Patients who developed HAI also had significantly increased LOS and hospital charges. These differences were not explained by increased disease severity alone. Reducing HAI is an important step to improving outcome in AP.

Therapy for acute pancreatitis with platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists

Acute pancreatitis (AP) causes release of platelet-activating factor (PAF), which induces systemic effects that contribute to circulatory disturbances and multiple organ failure. PAF is a cell surface secretion of bioactive lipid, which could produce physiological and pathological effects by binding to its cell surface receptor called platelet-activating factor receptor (PAF-R). Studies showed that PAF participates in the occurrence and development of AP and administration of platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists (PAF-RAs) could significantly reduce local and systemic events after AP. PAF has also been implicated as a key mediator in the progression of severe AP, which can lead to complications and unacceptably high mortality rates. Several classes of PAF-RA show PAF-RAs significant local and systemic effects on reducing inflammatory changes. As a preventive treatment, PAF-RA could block a series of PAF-mediated inflammatory injury and thus improve the prognosis of AP. This review introduces the important role of PAF-RA in the treatment of AP.

Proteasome inhibitor ameliorates severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury of rats

AIM: To observe the effect of proteasome inhibitor MG-132 on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and associated lung injury of rats.

METHODS: Male adult SD rats were randomly divided into SAP group, sham-operation group, and MG-132 treatment group. A model of SAP was established by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic duct of rats. The MG-132 group was pretreated with 10 mg/kg MG-132 intraperitoneally (ip) 30 min before the induction of pancreatitis. The changes in serum amylase, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of pancreatic and pulmonary tissue were measured. The TNF-α level in pancreatic cytosolic fractions was assayed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Meanwhile, the pathological changes in both pancreatic and pulmonary tissues were also observed.

RESULTS: MG-132 significantly decreased serum amylase, pancreatic weight/body ratio, pancreatic TNF-α level, pancreatic and pulmonary MPO activity (P < 0.05). Histopathological examinations revealed that pancreatic and pulmonary samples from rats pretreated with MG-132 demonstrated milder edema, cellular damage, and inflammatory activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 shows a protective effect on severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury of rats.

Prophylactic use of antibiotics in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

Necrotic pancreatic infection is the most serious complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Although prophylactic antibiotics are widely used to reduce its death rate, its practical efficiency still remains controversial. Therefore, the clinical experiences with prophylactic use of antibiotics are summarized in this paper, hoping to offer certain guides to its treatment. However, results from recent studies do not support prophylactic use of antibiotics in all cases of necrotic pancreatic infection and suggest that only imipenem or meropenem can be used for no more than three weeks in patients with their pancreatic necrosis area >30% or in patients with biliogenic pancreatitis to decrease the risk of necrotic infection and its mortality rate.

Severe acute pancreatitis in the elderly: Etiology and clinical characteristics

AIM: To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in elderly patients (≥ 60 years of age).

METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively all the SAP cases treated in Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing between 2000 and 2007.

RESULTS: In 169 patients with SAP, 94 were elderly and 16 died. Biliary and idiopathic etiologies were the first two causes that accounted for over 90% of SAP in the elderly. Biliary, hyperlipemic and alcoholic etiologies were the first three causes in the young. The proportion of co-morbidity of cholelithiasis, biliary infection, hypertension and coronary heart disease in the aged was significantly higher than that in their young partners. The scores of APACHE II and Ranson were also significantly higher in the elderly except the CT score. Organ failures were more common in the elderly, but the local pancreatic complications were not different between the two groups. Mortality of the aged was correlated with the severity of SAP, multiple co-morbidity and incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). MODS was the main cause of death.

CONCLUSION: The etiology of SAP in the elderly is quite different from that in the young. Biliary and unknown factors are main causes in the aged. The elderly are subject to major organ failures but there is no difference in the occurrence of local pancreatic complications between the elderly and the young. It is crucial to monitor and improve the functions of major organs so as to prevent MODS in the aged with SAP.

Management of infected pancreatic necrosis

The past two decades have seen major advances in the understanding and clinical management of acute pancreatitis, yet it still lacks a specific treatment, and management is largely supportive and reactive. Surgery is seeing a diminishing role in the early phase of acute pancreatitis but still predominates in the management of infected pancreatic necrosis--the most lethal complication. This review focuses on recent literature but begins with an account of the evolution of infected necrosis management, which serves to place current treatment into context. Although surgeons initially emphasized less invasive approaches to pancreatic necrosis, they now compete with new techniques developed by pioneering physicians, radiologists, and interventional endoscopists. Clinicians adopting the new techniques will need to emulate the dedication and commitment that the current pioneers demonstrate. Although new techniques are still evolving, they should be evaluated against existing standards of treatment.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of early veno-venous hemofiltration for severe acute pancreatitis in China

AIM: To determine the most cost-effective hemofiltration modality for early management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in China.

METHODS: We carried out a search of Pub-Medline and Chinese Biomedical Disk database. Controlled clinical trials on Chinese population were included in the analysis. The four decision branches that were analyzed were: continuous or long-term veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH/LVVH), short-term veno-venous hemofiltration (SVVH), SVVH plus peritoneal dialysis (PD), and non-hemofiltration control group. The effectiveness of the technique was determined by survival rate, complications prevention and surgery preservation. The total cost of hospitalization was also assessed.

RESULTS: The SVVH only technique was the least costly modality, $5809 (44 449 RMB), and was selected as the baseline treatment modality. SVVH only arm achieved the lowest C/E ratio in terms of overall survival, complications prevention and surgery preservation. In incremental cost-effectiveness analysis, the CVVH/LVVH only and the control arms were inferior to other techniques. Sensitivity analysis showed SVVH only and SVVH plus PD arms overlapped in C/survival ratio.

CONCLUSION: The role of early veno-venous hemofiltration as an alternative therapy for SAP remains controversial. However, we propose that early use of short-term high-volume veno-venous hemofiltration would have a beneficial impact on the management of SAP.