Endoscopist’s approach to nutrition in the patient with pancreatitis

Incidence and factors associated with portal vein thrombosis in patients with acute pancreatitis: A United States national retrospective study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a well-known complication in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). Limited data exist on the incidence and factors of PVT in patients with AP. We investigate the incidence and clinical predictors of PVT in AP.

METHODS

We queried the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample database to identify patients with AP. Patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer were excluded. We studied demographics, comorbidities, complications, and interventions in these patients and stratified the results by the presence of PVT. A multivariate regression model was used to identify factors associated with PVT in patients with AP. We also assessed the mortality and resource utilization in patients with PVT and AP.

RESULTS

Of the 1,386,389 adult patients admitted with AP, 11,135 (0.8%) patients had PVT. Women had a 15% lower risk of developing PVT (aOR-0.85, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the age groups in the risk of developing PVT. Hispanic patients had the lowest risk of PVT (aOR-0.74, p < 0.001). PVT was associated with pancreatic pseudocyst (aOR-4.15, p < 0.001), bacteremia (aOR-2.66, p < 0.001), sepsis (aOR-1.55, p < 0.001), shock (aOR-1.68, p < 0.001) and ileus (aOR-1.38, p < 0.001). A higher incidence of in-hospital mortality and ICU admissions was also noted in patients with PVT and AP.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a significant association between PVT and factors such as pancreatic pseudocyst, bacteremia, and ileus in patients with AP.

Endoscopic Enteral Access

Various approaches for enteral access exist, but because there is no single best approach it should be tailored to the needs of the patient. This article discusses the various enteral access techniques for nasoenteric tubes, gastrostomy, gastrojejunostomy, and direct jejunostomy as well as their indications, contraindications, and pitfalls. Also discussed is enteral access in altered anatomy. In addition, complications associated with these endoscopic techniques and how to either prevent or properly manage them are reviewed.

Nutrition Management in Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal conditions necessitating inpatient care. In the United States, over 275,000 patients are hospitalized for management of AP, with an estimate that over $2.5 billion is spent annually in treatment, with incidence continuing to rise. AP is a highly inflammatory and catabolic state, putting all patients with the condition at risk of malnutrition. Numerous approaches to nutrition support in pancreatitis have been evaluated and remain controversial. In this narrative review, we aim to give an overview of indications for nutrition and approach to management of nutrition in severe and predicted severe AP based on currently available data.