Diastolic dysfunction, prolonged QTc interval and pericardial effusion as predictors of mortality in acute pancreatitis

Urolithin A protects severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute cardiac injury by regulating mitochondrial fatty acid oxidative metabolism in cardiomyocytes

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) often develops into acute cardiac injury (ACI), contributing to the high mortality of SAP. Urolithin A (UA; 3,8-dihydroxy-6H-dibenzopyran-6-one), a natural polyphenolic compound, has been extensively studied and shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the specific effects of UA in SAP-associated acute cardiac injury (SACI) have not been definitively elucidated. Here, we investigated the therapeutic role and mechanisms of UA in SACI using transcriptomics and untargeted metabolomics analyses in a mouse model of SACI and in vitro studies. SACI resulted in severely damaged pancreatic and cardiac tissues with myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolism disorders. UA significantly reduced the levels of lipase, amylase and inflammatory factors, attenuated pathological damage to pancreatic and cardiac tissues, and reduced myocardial cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in SACI. Moreover, UA increased mitochondrial membrane potential and adenosine triphosphate production and restored mitochondrial metabolism, but the efficacy of UA was weakened by the inhibition of CPT1. Therefore, UA can attenuate cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce myocardial apoptosis by restoring the balance of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation metabolism. CPT1 may be a potential target. This study has substantial implications for advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis and drug development of SACI.

Could extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells be a potential therapy for acute pancreatitis-induced cardiac injury?

Acute pancreatitis (AP) often leads to a high incidence of cardiac injury, posing significant challenges in the treatment of severe AP and contributing to increased mortality rates. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) release bioactive molecules that participate in various inflammatory diseases. Similarly, extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by MSCs have garnered extensive attention due to their comparable anti-inflammatory effects to MSCs and their potential to avoid risks associated with cell transplantation. Recently, the therapeutic potential of MSCs-EVs in various inflammatory diseases, including sepsis and AP, has gained increasing recognition. Although preclinical research on the utilization of MSCs-EVs in AP-induced cardiac injury is limited, several studies have demonstrated the positive effects of MSCs-EVs in regulating inflammation and immunity in sepsis-induced cardiac injury and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, clinical studies have been conducted on the therapeutic application of MSCs-EVs for some other diseases, wherein the contents of these EVs could be deliberately modified through prior modulation of MSCs. Consequently, we hypothesize that MSCs-EVs hold promise as a potential therapy for AP-induced cardiac injury. This paper aims to discuss this topic. However, additional research is essential to comprehensively elucidate the underlying mechanisms of MSCs-EVs in treating AP-induced cardiac injury, as well as to ascertain their safety and efficacy.

Comprehensive Mechanism, Novel Markers and Multidisciplinary Treatment of Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Cardiac Injury - A Narrative Review

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the common acute abdominal inflammatory diseases in clinic with acute onset and rapid progress. About 20% of the patients will eventually develop into severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) characterized by a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration, gland flocculus flaky necrosis and hemorrhage, finally inducing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Pancreatic enzyme activation, intestinal endotoxemia (IETM), cytokine activation, microcirculation disturbance, autonomic nerve dysfunction and autophagy dysregulation all play an essential role in the occurrence and progression of SAP. Organ dysfunction is the main cause of early death in SAP. Acute kidney injury (AKI) and acute lung injury (ALI) are common, while cardiac injury (CI) is not, but the case fatality risk is high. Many basic studies have observed obvious ultrastructure change of heart in SAP, including myocardial edema, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial interstitial collagen deposition. Moreover, in clinical practice, patients with SAP often presented various abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac function. Cases complicated with acute myocardial infarction and pericardial tamponade have also been reported and even result in stress cardiomyopathy. Due to the molecular mechanisms underlying SAP-associated cardiac injury (SACI) remain poorly understood, and there is no complete, unified treatment and sovereign remedy at present, this article reviews reports referring to the pathogenesis, potential markers and treatment methods of SACI in recent years, in order to improve the understanding of cardiac injury in severe pancreatitis.

Retino-choroidal changes in patients with acute pancreatitis: A prospective analysis of a novel biomarker

BACKGROUND

There is paucity of data on ocular changes in acute Pancreatitis (AP). Moreover, subclinical alterations in retina & choroid have not been studied in AP.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively study retino-choroidal changes in AP.

METHODS

Sixty patients (mean age 39.07 years; 41 males) with AP were followed up till recovery/death. Baseline slit-lamp examination, choroidal thickness (CT), retinal thickness (RT), choroidal vascularity index (CVI), retinal capillary density index (CDI) and arteriovenous ratio (AVR) were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups - mild (Group A; 5 patients) and moderately severe/severe (Group B; 55 patients) as per revised Atlanta classification.

RESULTS

Fundus examination showed mild optic disc edema with retinal hemorrhages in 6 (10%) patients in group B as compared to none in group A (p = 1.00). None of the patients had Purtscher retinopathy. Mean CT (317 ± 56.29 μm) was increased as compared to normal subjects (278.90 ± 57.84 μm, p = 0.003). The mean CVI (0.62 ± 0.04) was decreased as compared to normal (0.66 ± 0.01, p < 0.0001) as was the mean AVR (0.67 ± 0.03 vs. 0.7 ± 0.02, p < 0.0001). However, the mean RT of subjects with AP (239.68 ± 33.76 μm) was not significantly different compared to the normal subjects 253.17 ± 33.67 µm (p=NS). The mean CDI of superficial and deep plexus were comparable between normal and patients with AP. CT, RT, CVI, AVR and CDI were comparable between group A and group B as well as survivors and non-survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically significant ocular changes are seen infrequently in AP. However, subclinical changes in CT, CVI and AVR are observed in patients with AP compared to normal individuals.

Electrocardiogram Heart Rate as a Predictor of Severity in Acute Alcohol-Related Pancreatitis With Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Background The severity of acute alcohol-related pancreatitis (AAP) with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) has not been studied. Electrocardiogram (ECG) has not been used as a predictor of severity in patients with AWS and acute pancreatitis. Objectives The study aimed to determine whether the ECG heart rate (HR) could predict the severity of AAP; secondarily, whether AWS influenced the severity of AAP based on Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP). Methods Demographics, comorbid illnesses, AWS, biochemistry, ECG, arterial blood gases, and CT findings were noted in patients with AAP. The severity of pancreatitis was scored into mild, moderate, and severe based on CT. BISAP, APACHE II, and ECG heart rate-APACHE (E-APACHE) were compared in patients with and without AWS. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to find the best predictor of severity. Results Among 138 patients (M=128), 94 had AWS. ECG changes (≥1) were seen in 50%. Patients with AWS were younger, had consumed alcohol for a shorter duration, had higher systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), APACHE II, and E-APACHE II scores. APACHE II and E-APACHE II correlated significantly with severity grading, HR, alcohol duration, and AWS. HR was the best predictor of severe pancreatitis; E-APACHE was the best predictor for moderately severe pancreatitis. Conclusions Mostly, AAP appears to be mild; >2/3rds have AWS. ECG findings were seen in 50%. HR has not been previously studied in patients with both AAP and AWS and is an easy and inexpensive test to predict the severity of pancreatitis in this cohort.

Gastrointestinal Failure Is a Predictor of Poor Outcome in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Although gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in patients with acute pancreatitis, its impact on the outcome of disease has not been adequately studied. The present study was conducted to study the frequency of gastrointestinal failure (GIF) as well as its effect on outcome in patients with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Patients with acute pancreatitis admitted in our unit were prospectively studied. Gastrointestinal dysfunction and intra-abdominal pressures were measured daily till their resolution, and gastrointestinal failure score was calculated. Baseline parameters including various severity scores were noted. The patients were followed till clinical recovery or death.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients (mean age 41.52 ± 16.28 years; 45 (70.3%) males) were prospectively studied. Forty-five (70.3%) patients had severe disease, and 18 (28.1%) patients succumbed to illness. GIF was present in 31 (48.4%) patients. The median duration of GIF was 5 (range 1-20) days. The presence of GIF was significantly associated with mortality (p value < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, the presence of GIF [OR 10.6 (95% CI 1.97-57.04)] and duration of ICU stay [OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.015-1.15)] were found to be independent predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Gastrointestinal failure is an important organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis and is an independent predictor of mortality. Incorporation of gastrointestinal failure scores in dynamic assessment of patients with acute pancreatitis could help us in better stratifying severity of patients and predicting outcome.

Acute pancreatitis conditioned mesenteric lymph causes cardiac dysfunction in rats independent of hypotension

BACKGROUND

Critical illness including severe acute pancreatitis is associated with the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The "gut-lymph" hypothesis states that multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is due to release of toxic factors from the intestine into the mesenteric lymph. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of normotensive acute pancreatitis conditioned mesenteric lymph on cardiac function and whether external drainage of mesenteric lymph would protect the heart.

METHODS

Groups of normal rats and those with normotensive taurocholate induced acute pancreatitis, had either no lymphatic intervention or thoracic duct ligation and external drainage of mesenteric lymph. After 6 hours, the hearts were removed for ex vivo functional measurements, including cardiac output, ventricular contractility (+dP/dt), and relaxation (-dP/dt). In a second experiment, mesenteric lymph from normal rats and those with established acute pancreatitis was infused into ex vivo perfused normal working rat hearts to assess impact on cardiac function. Heart and lung tissues were collected for assessment of edema.

RESULTS

Significant cardiac dysfunction, denoted by decreased cardiac output (21%), contractility (37%), relaxability (23%), and increased cardiac tissue edema (2-fold), developed in rats with established acute pancreatitis and no lymphatic intervention compared with the control group (all P < .05). Strikingly this cardiac dysfunction and edema was normalized in acute pancreatitis rats that had undergone prior thoracic duct ligation and external drainage of mesenteric lymph. In the second experiment, infusion of acute pancreatitis conditioned mesenteric lymph resulted in an immediate and significant similar magnitude decrease in of cardiac output (17%), contractility (22%), and relaxation (27%) compared with the infusion of normal lymph (all P <.05).

CONCLUSION

Mesenteric lymph from normotensive acute pancreatitis animals caused significant cardiac dysfunction which could be prevented by thoracic duct ligation and external drainage of mesenteric lymph.

Prevalence of cardiovascular dysfunction and its association with outcome in patients with acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Organ failure (OF) is the most important predictor of outcome in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Cardiovascular failure (CVSF) occurs in a variable proportion of patients with SAP. We aimed to study myocardial dysfunction in acute pancreatitis (AP) and its impact on the outcome.

METHODS

In this prospective study between January 2011 and July 2012, consecutive eligible patients of AP were enrolled. Myocardial function was assessed by measuring CK-MB (creatine phosphokinase isoenzyme) and echocardiography at admission. Electrocardiography (ECG) findings at admission were noted. Patients were managed in a high dependency unit using a step-up approach and followed up during hospital stay for their outcome. The outcome variables were computed tomography severity index (CTSI), the severity of AP, infection, need for intervention, length of hospital stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 65 patients (mean age 39.55 ± 13.14 years; 67.7% males; etiology: alcohol 47.7%, gallstone disease 43.1%, and others 3%), 28 (43%) had organ failure. Respiratory failure was present in 21 (32.3%) patients, acute kidney injury (AKI) in 11 (16.9%) patients, and cardiovascular dysfunction was present in 4 (6.2%) patients. ECG changes were present in 26 (40%) patients with ST segment depression with T wave inversion being the most common (n = 22, 85%). Elevated CK-MB level (more than two times normal) was seen in 18 (27.7%) patients and was associated with increased necrosis (odds ratio = 2.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.5-12.3, p = 0.021), CTSI (7.7 ± 2.7 vs. 5.0 ± 3.0, p = 0.002), severity of AP (p = 0.05), CVSF (p = 0.005), hospital stay (19.3 ± 12.3 vs. 12.3 ± 7.0, p = 0.006), and mortality (odds ratio = 6.42, 95% confidence interval = 1.0-38.9, p = 0.045). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 55%) was seen in 9 (13.8%) patients, all of whom had mild systolic dysfunction and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was seen in 17 (26.2%) patients. There was no association between poor LVEF or LVDD and necrosis, severity of AP, infection, need for intervention, duration of hospital stay, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

Elevated CK-MB levels were associated with increased necrosis, higher CTSI, the severity of AP, cardiovascular failure, prolonged hospital stay, LVDD, and mortality. Echocardiographic findings namely left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunctions were not associated with severity or outcome of AP.

Characterization of Cardiac Dysfunction by Echocardiography in Early Severe Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Persistent organ failure is a feature of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and the leading cause of death. Although usually defined by hypotension, cardiovascular dysfunction (CD) in early SAP has not been well characterized. We aim to characterize CD in patients with SAP and hypotension and determine its impact on clinical outcome.

METHODS

Patients with SAP and hypotension were studied to define the frequency, nature, and prognostic significance of CD characterized by echocardiography and classified as systolic, diastolic, or combined dysfunction.

RESULTS

Of the 72 patients (median age, 41 years, 44 men), 10 (14%) had percutaneous drain placement, 12 (17%) underwent surgery, and 14 (19%) died. Persistent hypotension was present in 58 (81%) and transient hypotension in 14 (19%) patients. Cardiovascular dysfunction was present in 47 (65%) patients: 28 (60%) with diastolic dysfunction, 8 (17%) with systolic dysfunction, and 11 (23%) with combined dysfunction. Left ventricular end diastolic volume, stroke volume index, cardiac index, and diastolic dysfunction correlated with mortality on univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Two thirds of patients with early SAP and hypotension had cardiac dysfunction, which was most commonly diastolic dysfunction. A better understanding of the nature of cardiac dysfunction in this setting may allow more accurate diagnosis, prognostication, and management.

Prognostic significance of differentiating necrosis from fluid collection on endoscopic ultrasound in patients with presumed isolated extrapancreatic necrosis

Background

Extrapancreatic necrosis is diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) as extrapancreatic changes that are more than fat stranding; both fluid collections and necrosis would have a similar appearance. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of differentiating peripancreatic necrosis from fluid collection on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients with presumed isolated extrapancreatic necrosis.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 36 patients (25 males; age range 19-65 years) with acute pancreatitis (AP) and isolated extrapancreatic necrosis. On EUS, peripancreatic anechoic areas were labeled as peripancreatic fluid collections and peripancreatic heterogeneously echotextured areas as peripancreatic necrosis.

Results

The etiology of AP was alcohol in 16 (44.4%) patients, gallstone disease in 13 (36.1%), and other in 7 (19.4%). On EUS, 25 (69.4%) patients had peripancreatic necrosis and 11 (30.6%) patients had peripancreatic fluid collections. Compared with patients who had peripancreatic fluid collections, patients with peripancreatic necrosis had a significantly higher frequency of pleural effusion (88% vs. 55%; P=0.04), organ failure (OF) (68% vs. 27%; P=0.03), and persistent OF (48% vs. 9%; P=0.03). The patients with peripancreatic necrosis also had a higher frequency of ascites (20% vs. 9%), need for intervention (20% vs. nil), surgery (8% vs. nil) and mortality (8% vs. nil), but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Isolated extrapancreatic necrosis on contrast-enhanced CT comprises a heterogeneous group, with patients who show peripancreatic fluid collections on EUS having a less severe disease course compared to patients with peripancreatic necrosis.

Acute hyperglycemia suppresses left ventricular diastolic function and inhibits autophagic flux in mice under prohypertrophic stimulation

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is closely associated with LV hypertrophy or diabetes, as well as insufficient autophagic flux. Acute or chronic hyperglycemia is a prognostic factor for patients with myocardial infarction. However, the effect of acute hyperglycemia on LV dysfunction of the hypertrophic heart and the mechanisms involved are still unclear. This study aimed to confirm our hypothesis that either acute or chronic hyperglycemia suppresses LV diastolic function and autophagic flux.

METHODS

The transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model and streptozocin-induced type 1 diabetic mellitus mice were used. LV function was evaluated with a Millar catheter. Autophagic levels and autophagic flux in the whole heart and cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in response to hyperglycemia were examined by using western blotting of LC3B-II and P62. We also examined the effect of an autophagic inhibitor on LC3B-II and P62 protein expression and LC3 puncta.

RESULTS

In mice with TAC, we detected diastolic dysfunction as early as 30 min after TAC. This dysfunction was indicated by a greater LV end-diastolic pressure and the exponential time constant of LV relaxation, as well as a smaller maximum descending rate of LV pressure in comparison with sham group. Similar results were also obtained in mice with TAC for 2 weeks, in addition to increased insulin resistance. Acute hyperglycemic stress suppressed diastolic function in mice with myocardial hypertrophy, as evaluated by invasive LV hemodynamic monitoring. Mice with chronic hyperglycemia induced by streptozocin showed myocardial fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. In high glucose-treated cardiomyocytes and streptozocin-treated mice, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α was downregulated, while P62 was upregulated. Autophagic flux was also significantly inhibited in response to high glucose exposure in angiotensin-II treated cardiomyocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute hyperglycemia suppresses diastolic function, damages mitochondrial energy signaling, and inhibits autophagic flux in prohypertrophic factor-stimulated cardiomyocytes.

Clinical significance of presence and extent of extrapancreatic necrosis in acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Extrapancreatic necrosis (EPN) alone represents a subgroup of pancreatitis with better outcome than patients with pancreatic parenchymal necrosis (PN). However, data on clinical significance of EPN is limited, and significance of the extent of EPN is not known.

METHODS

Two hundred thirteen patients (136 [63.8%] males; mean age: 39.8 ± 13.2 years) with acute pancreatitis were prospectively enrolled and followed up till recovery or death. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of each patient was retrospectively evaluated for presence of PN and EPN, pleural effusion and ascites. EPN was termed extensive if it extended to paracolic gutters or pelvis.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (9.9%) patients had interstitial pancreatitis, seven (3.3%) patients had PN alone, 48 (22.5%) patients had EPN alone, and 137 (64.3%) patients had combined PN and EPN. Patients with EPN alone had significantly higher frequency of organ failure than patients with interstitial pancreatitis. Compared with patients with EPN alone, the patients with combined necrosis had significantly higher frequency of pleural effusion (88.2% vs. 75%), ascites (41% vs. 20.8%), and need for intervention (32.6% vs. 14.6%). Patients with extensive EPN (n = 57) had significantly higher frequency of pleural effusion, ascites, and multi-organ failure than those with limited EPN.

CONCLUSION

EPN alone should be considered as a separate category of acute pancreatitis as it has less severe course than PN but has more severe course than interstitial pancreatitis. Patients with extensive EPN in spite of having increased frequency of ascites, pleural effusion, and multi-organ failure had similar outcome as compared to patients with limited EPN.

Comparison of abdominal ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in detection of necrotic debris in walled-off pancreatic necrosis

Background: Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is an important complication of acute pancreatitis that is diagnosed by imaging modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can clearly visualize necrotic debris. The effectiveness of abdominal ultrasound (USG) in detecting solid debris in WOPN is not clear.

Methods: A total of 52 patients (37 males, mean age 38.9 ± 12.6 years) with symptomatic WOPN were prospectively studied using EUS, MRI and USG. These investigations were done at a mean of 11.7 ± 5.5 weeks of onset of acute pancreatitis and within two days.

Results: WOPN was detected by EUS & MRI in all patients, whereas USG could not detect it in 4 (7.6%) patients (3 had predominantly solid WOPN, whereas one had air foci in WOPN). USG, MRI and EUS could detect solid debris in all patients with detectable WOPN. EUS and USG detected <10% debris in 10 (20%) patients, whereas MRI detected <10% debris in 14 (27%) patients. EUS and USG detected 10–40% debris in 33 patients whereas MRI detected 10–40% debris in 30 (58%) patients. More than 40% debris was better characterized on EUS and MRI with both detecting >40% debris in 8 patients (15%) compared to 5 (11%) patients having >40% debris on USG. EUS detected collaterals around WOPN that were not detected on USG or MRI.

Conclusion: USG can characterize the majority of WOPN, with accuracy comparable to that of EUS/MRI. However its limitations are the inability to detect collaterals around WOPN and characterize collections with high solid content or air.