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

Plasma D-Dimer Level Is an Early Predictor of Severity of Acute Pancreatitis Based on 2012 Atlanta Classification

Background

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common digestive disorder. Its management depends on the severity; therefore, it is essential to stratify AP patients early. D-dimer, a coagulation indicator, appears to be associated with the pathogenesis of AP. The aim of this study was to evaluate D-dimer as an early predictor of the severity of AP.

Material/Methods

This was a single-center retrospective study of 1260 patients diagnosed based on the revised Atlanta classification. Only patients hospitalized within 24 h of onset were included, and 334 patients were enrolled. Blood was collected at admission and 3 times within 48 h of admission. Values at admission and average of the 3 blood samples were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to estimate the validity of the predictor and to define optimal cut-off points for prediction.

Results

We found that 53.3% of the patients had mild AP (MAP), 24.3% had moderately severe AP (MSAP), and 22.4% had severe AP (SAP). D-dimer at admission and the average D-dimer could distinguish MAP patients from MSAP and SAP patients, with cut-off values of 3.355 mg/L and 4.868 mg/L, respectively. No difference in the parameters at admission was observed in multivariate analysis in distinguishing SAP from MSAP, but the average D-dimer level was significantly different with a cut-off value of 7.268 mg/L by comparing Ranson score, APACHE II score, and D-dimer level.

Conclusions

The average value of D-dimer levels could be used as a predictor of severity of AP. In general, patients with an average D-dimer level <4.868 could be diagnosed with MAP, >7.268 would develop into SAP, and between 4.868 and 7.268 would be MSAP.

Evaluation and management of acute pancreatitis in Spain

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this systematic review is to summarize epidemiological data and areas of future acute pancreatitis research in Spain.

METHODS

We conduct an independent search in PubMed and Web of Science and analyse articles by Spanish researchers from 2008 to 2018.

RESULTS

We identified an overall incidence of 72/100,000 person-years, with biliary pancreatitis as the most common etiology. BISAP was useful but suboptimal for predicting severity and some biomarkers such as Oleic acid chlorohydrin have shown promising results. The modified determinant-based classification can help to classify patients admitted to intensive care units. Ringer's lactate solution is currently the fluid of choice and classic surgery has been surpassed by minimally-invasive approaches. Starting a full-caloric diet is safe when bowel sounds are present.

DISCUSSION

There are numerous well-defined research fields in Spain. Future multicentre studies should focus on management, predicting severity and cost-effectiveness.

Value of the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and determinant-based classification (DBC) systems in the evaluation of acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Since increasing acute pancreatitis (AP) severity is significantly associated with mortality, accurate and rapid determination of severity is crucial for effective clinical management. This study investigated the value of the revised Atlanta classification (RAC) and the determinant-based classification (DBC) systems in stratifying severity of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study included 480 AP patients. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were recorded. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were admission to intensive care unit (ICU), duration of ICU stay, and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Based on the RAC classification, there were 295 patients with mild AP (MAP), 146 patients with moderate-to-severe AP (MSAP), and 39 patients with severe AP (SAP). Based on the DBC classification, there were 389 patients with MAP, 41 patients with MSAP, 32 patients with SAP, and 18 patients with critical AP (CAP). ROC curve analysis showed that the DBC system had a significantly higher accuracy at predicting organ failure compared to the RAC system (p < .001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that age and ICU stay were independent risk factors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

The DBC system had a higher accuracy at predicting organ failure. Age and ICU stay were significantly associated with risk of death in AP patients. A classification of CAP by the DBC system should warrant close attention, and rapid implementation of effective measures to reduce mortality.

Early Aggressive Hydration Hastens Clinical Improvement in Mild Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Early aggressive intravenous hydration is recommended for acute pancreatitis treatment although randomized trials have not documented benefit. We performed a randomized trial of aggressive vs. standard hydration in the initial management of mild acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Sixty patients with acute pancreatitis without systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) or organ failure were randomized within 4 h of diagnosis to aggressive (20 ml/kg bolus followed by 3 ml/kg/h) vs. standard (10 ml/kg bolus followed by 1.5 mg/kg/h) hydration with Lactated Ringer's solution. Patients were assessed at 12-h intervals. At each interval, in both groups, if hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), or creatinine was increased, a bolus of 20 ml/kg followed by 3 ml/kg/h was given; if labs were decreased and epigastric pain was decreased (measured on 0-10 visual analog scale), hydration was then given at 1.5 ml/kg/h and clear liquid diet was started. The primary endpoint, clinical improvement within 36 h, was defined as the combination of decreased hematocrit, BUN, and creatinine; improved pain; and tolerance of oral diet.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 45 years and only 14 (23%) had comorbidities. A higher proportion of patients treated with aggressive vs. standard hydration showed clinical improvement at 36 h: 70 vs. 42% (P=0.03). The rate of clinical improvement was greater with aggressive vs. standard hydration by Cox regression analysis: adjusted hazard ratio=2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.21-4.45. Persistent SIRS occurred less commonly with aggressive hydration (7.4 vs. 21.1%; adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.12, 0.02-0.94) as did hemoconcentration (11.1 vs. 36.4%, adjusted OR=0.08, 0.01-0.49). No patients developed signs of volume overload.

CONCLUSIONS

Early aggressive intravenous hydration with Lactated Ringer's solution hastens clinical improvement in patients with mild acute pancreatitis.

RNA sequence analysis of rat acute experimental pancreatitis with and without fatty liver: a gene expression profiling comparative study

Fatty liver (FL) is one of the risk factors for acute pancreatitis and is also indicative of a worse prognosis as compared to acute pancreatitis without fatty liver (AP). The aim of the present study was to analyze, at the hepatic level, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between acute pancreatitis with fatty liver (APFL) rats and AP rats. GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway analyses of these DEGs indicated that PPARα signalling pathway and fatty acid degradation pathway may be involved in the pathological process of APFL, which indicated that fatty liver may aggravate pancreatitis through these pathways. Moreover, the excessive activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway and toll-like receptor signaling pathway was also found in APFL group as shown in heat map. In conclusion, the inhibition of PPARα signaling pathway and the fatty acid degradation pathway may lead to the further disorder of lipid metabolism, which can aggravate pancreatitis.

Predictors and outcomes of moderately severe acute pancreatitis - Evidence to reclassify

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

After the creation of the moderately severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) category in the Revised Atlanta Classification in 2012, predictors to identify these patients early have not been identified. The MSAP category includes patients with (peri)pancreatic necrosis, fluid collections, and transient organ failure in the same category. However, these outcomes have not been studied to determine whether they result in similar outcomes to merit inclusion in the same severity.

METHODS

Retrospective, review of 514 consecutive, direct admissions for acute pancreatitis from 2010 to 2013. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of MSAP.

RESULTS

Persistent SIRS was the best prognostic marker of MSAP with AUC 0.72. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for persistent SIRS to predict MSAP are: 55%, 88%, 40%, 93%, and 84%. Patients with necrosis had significantly longer length of stay (LOS) (p = 0.0001) and higher rates of ICU admission (p = 0.02) compared with patients with transient organ failure. Compared to those with acute fluid collections, patients with necrosis had longer LOS (p < 0.0001), higher rates of ICU admission (p = 0.0005), required more interventions (p = 0.001), and demonstrated higher mortality (0.003).

DISCUSSION

Moderately severe pancreatitis can be distinguished from mild pancreatitis on the basis of persistent SIRS but cannot be accurately distinguished from severe pancreatitis in the first 48 h (Peri)pancreatic necrosis demonstrates significantly more morbidity compared to the other components of MSAP of fluid collections and transient organ failure.

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.

New Atlanta Classification of acute pancreatitis in intensive care unit: Complications and prognosis

BACKGROUND

The updated Atlanta Classification of acute pancreatitis (AP) in adults defined three levels of severity according to the presence of local and/or systemic complications and presence and length of organ failure. No study focused on complications and mortality of patients with moderately severe AP admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The main aim of this study is to describe the complications developed and outcomes of these patients and compare them to those with severe AP.

METHODS

Prospective, observational study. We included patients with acute moderately severe or severe AP admitted in a medical-surgical ICU during 5years. We collected demographic data, admission criteria, pancreatitis etiology, severity of illness, presence of organ failure, local and systemic complications, ICU length of stay, and mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients were included: 12 with moderately severe AP and 44 with severe. All patients developed some kind of complications without differences on complications rate between moderately severe or severe AP. All the patients present non-infectious systemic complications, mainly acute respiratory failure and hemodynamic failure. 82.1% had an infectious complication, mainly non-pancreatic infection (66.7% on moderately severe AP vs. 79.5% on severe, p=0.0443). None of the patients with moderately severe AP died during their intensive care unit stay vs. 29.5% with severe AP (p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderately severe AP has a high rate of complications with similar rates to patients with severe AP admitted to ICU. However, their ICU mortality remains very low, which supports the existence of this new group of pancreatitis according to their severity.

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.

Association between severity and the determinant-based classification, Atlanta 2012 and Atlanta 1992, in acute pancreatitis: a clinical retrospective study

Recently, the determinant-based classification (DBC) and the Atlanta 2012 have been proposed to provide a basis for study and treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP). The present study aimed to evaluate the association between severity and the DBC, the Atlanta 2012 and the Atlanta 1992, in AP. Patients admitted to our center with AP from January 2007 to July 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were assigned to severity categories for all the 3 classification systems. The primary outcomes include long-term clinical prognosis (mortality and length-of-hospital stay), major complications (intraabdominal hemorrhage, multiple-organ dysfunction, single organ failure [OF], and sepsis) and clinical interventions (surgical drainage, continuous renal replace therapy [CRRT] lasting time, and mechanical ventilation [MV] lasting time). The classification systems were validated and compared in terms of these abovementioned primary outcomes. A total of 395 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study with an overall 8.86% in-hospital mortality. Intraabdominal hemorrhage was present in 27 (6.84%) of the patients, multiple-organ dysfunction in 73(18.48%), single OF in 67 (16.96%), and sepsis in 73(18.48%). For each classification system, different categories regarding severity were associated with statistically different clinical mortality, major complications, and clinical interventions (P < 0.05). However, the Atlanta 2012 and the DBC performed better than the Atlanta 1992, and they were comparable in predicting mortality (area under curve [AUC] 0.899 and 0.955 vs 0.585, P < 0.05); intraabdominal hemorrhage (AUC 0.930 and 0.961 vs 0.583, P < 0.05), multiple-organ dysfunction (AUC 0.858 and 0.881 vs 0.595, P < 0.05), sepsis (AUC 0.826 and 0.879 vs 0.590, P < 0.05), and surgical drainage (AUC 0.900 and 0.847 vs 0.606, P < 0.05). For continuous variables, the Atlanta 2012 and the DBC were also better than the Atlanta 1992, and they were similar in predicting CRRT lasting time (Somer D 0.379 and 0.360 vs 0.210, P < 0.05) and MV lasting time (Somer D 0.344 and 0.336 vs 0.186, P < 0.05). All the 3 classification systems accurately classify the severity of AP. However, the Atlanta 2012 and the DBC performed better than the Atlanta 1992, and they were comparable in predicting long-term clinical prognosis, major complications, and clinical interventions.

Resistin is not an appropriate biochemical marker to predict severity of acute pancreatitis: A case-controlled study

AIM: To assess levels of serum resistin upon hospital admission as a predictor of acute pancreatitis (AP) severity.

METHODS: AP is both a common and serious disease, with severe cases resulting in a high mortality rate. Several predictive inflammatory markers have been used clinically to assess severity. This prospective study collected data from 102 patients who were diagnosed with an initial acute biliary pancreatitis between March 2010 and February 2013. Measurements of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were obtained and serum resistin levels were analyzed at the time of hospital admission using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, resistin levels were measured from a control group after matching gender, BMI and age.

RESULTS: A total of 102 patients (60 females and 42 males) were diagnosed with acute gallstone-induced pancreatitis. The mean age was 45 years, and mean BMI value was 30.5 kg/m² (Obese, class I). Twenty-two patients (21.6%) had severe AP, while eighty-eight patients had mild pancreatitis (78.4%). Our results showed that BMI significantly correlated with pancreatitis severity (P = 0.007). Serum resistin did not correlate with BMI, weight or WC. Furthermore, serum resistin was significantly higher in patients with AP compared to control subjects (P < 0.0001). The mean resistin values upon admission were 17.5 ng/mL in the severe acute biliary pancreatitis group and 16.82 ng/mL in the mild AP group (P = 0.188), indicating that resistin is not an appropriate predictive marker of clinical severity.

CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that obesity is a risk factor for developing severe AP. Further, although there is a correlation between serum resistin levels and AP at the time of hospital admission, resistin does not adequately serve as a predictive marker of clinical severity.

Clinical utility of the revised Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis in a prospective cohort: have all loose ends been tied?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Revision of the Atlanta classification for acute pancreatitis (AP) was long awaited. The Revised Atlanta Classification has been recently proposed. In this study, we aim to prospectively evaluate and validate the clinical utility of the new definitions.

PATIENT AND METHODS

163 consecutive patients with AP were followed till death/6 mths after discharge. AP was categorized as mild (MAP) (no local complication[LC] and organ failure[OF]), moderate (MSAP)(transient OF and/or local/systemic complication but no persistent OF) and severe (SAP) AP (persistent OF). LC included acute peripancreatic fluid collections, pseudocyst, acute necrotic collection, walled-off necrosis, gastric outlet dysfunction, splenic/portal vein thrombosis, and colonic necrosis. Baseline characteristics (age/gender/hematocrit/BUN/SIRS/BISAP) and outcomes (total hospital stay/need for ICU care/ICU days/primary infected (peri)pancreatic necrosis[IN]/in-hospital death) were compared.

RESULTS

43 (26.4%) patients had ANP, 87 (53.4%) patients had MAP, 58 (35.6%) MSAP and 18 (11.04%) SAP. Among the baseline characteristics, BISAP score was significantly higher in MSAP compared to MAP [1.6 (1.5-2.01) vs 1.2 (1.9-2.4); p = 0.002]; and BUN was significantly higher in SAP compared to MSAP[64.9 (50.7-79.1) vs 24.9 (20.7-29.1); p < 0.0001]. All outcomes except mortality were significantly higher in MSAP compared to MAP. Need for ICU care (83.3%vs43.1%; p = 0.01), total ICU days[7.9 (4.8-10.9) vs 3.5 (2.7-5.1); p = 0.04] and mortality (38.9%vs1.7%; p = 0.0002) was significantly more in SAP compared to MSAP. 8/18 (44.4%) patients had POF within seven days of disease onset (early OF). This was associated with 37.5% of total in-hospital mortality. Patients with MSAP who had primary IN (n = 10) had similar outcomes as SAP.

CONCLUSIONS

This study prospectively validates the clinical utility of the Revised Atlanta definitions of AP. However, MSAP patients with primary infected necrosis may behave as SAP. Furthermore, patients with early severe acute pancreatitis (early OF) could represent a subgroup that needs to be dealt with separately in classification systems.

Validation of the moderate severity category of acute pancreatitis defined by determinant-based classification

BACKGROUND

Recent international multidisciplinary consultation proposed the use of local (sterile or infected pancreatic necrosis) and/or systemic determinants (organ failure) in the stratification of acute pancreatitis. The present study was to validate the moderate severity category by international multidisciplinary consultation definitions.

METHODS

Ninety-two consecutive patients with severe acute pancreatitis (according to the 1992 Atlanta classification) were classified into (i) moderate acute pancreatitis group with the presence of sterile (peri-) pancreatic necrosis and/or transient organ failure; and (ii) severe/critical acute pancreatitis group with the presence of sterile or infected pancreatic necrosis and/or persistent organ failure. Demographic and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the severe/critical group (n=59), the moderate group (n=33) had lower clinical and computerized tomographic scores (both P<0.05). They also had a lower incidence of pancreatic necrosis (45.5% vs 71.2%, P=0.015), infection (9.1% vs 37.3%, P=0.004), ICU admission (0% vs 27.1%, P=0.001), and shorter hospital stay (15+/-5 vs 27+/-12 days; P<0.001). A subgroup analysis showed that the moderate group also had significantly lower ICU admission rates, shorter hospital stay and lower rate of infection compared with the severe group (n=51). No patients died in the moderate group but 7 patients died in the severe/critical group (4 for severe group).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the definition of moderate acute pancreatitis, as suggested by the international multidisciplinary consultation as sterile (peri-) pancreatic necrosis and/or transient organ failure, is an accurate category of acute pancreatitis.

[International multidisciplinary classification of acute pancreatitis severity: the 2013 Spanish edition]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity on the basis of a sound conceptual framework, comprehensive review of the published evidence, and worldwide consultation.

BACKGROUNDS

The Atlanta definitions of acute pancreatitis severity are ingrained in the lexicon of specialist in pancreatic diseases, but are suboptimal because these definitions are based on the empiric description of events not associated with severity.

METHODS

A personal invitation to contribute to the development of a new classification of acute pancreatitis severity was sent to all surgeons, gastroenterologists, internists, intensivists and radiologists currently active in the field of clinical acute pancreatitis. The invitation was not limited to members of certain associations or residents of certain countries. A global web-based survey was conducted, and a dedicated international symposium was organized to bring contributors from different disciplines together and discuss the concept and definitions.

RESULTS

The new classification of severity is based on the actual local and systemic determinants of severity, rather than on the description of events that are non-causally associated with severity. The local determinant relates to whether there is (peri) pancreatic necrosis or not, and if present, whether it is sterile or infected. The systemic determinant relates to whether there is organ failure or not, and if present, whether it is transient or persistent. The presence of one determinant can modify the effect of another, whereby the presence of both infected (peri) pancreatic necrosis and persistent organ failure has a greater impact upon severity than either determinant alone. The derivation of a classification based on the above principles results in four categories of severity: mild, moderate, severe, and critical.

CONCLUSIONS

This classification is the result of a consultative process among specialists in pancreatic diseases from 49 countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa. It provides a set of concise up to date definitions of all the main entities pertinent to classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis in clinical practice and research. This ensures that the determinant-based classification can be used in a uniform manner throughout the world.

Validation of the determinant-based classification and revision of the Atlanta classification systems for acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Two new classification systems for the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) have been proposed, the determinant-based classification (DBC) and a revision of the Atlanta classification (RAC). Our aim was to validate and compare these classification systems.

METHODS

We analyzed data from adult patients with AP (543 episodes of AP in 459 patients) who were admitted to Hospital General Universitario de Alicante from December 2007 to February 2013. Imaging results were reviewed, and the classification systems were validated and compared in terms of outcomes.

RESULTS

Pancreatic necrosis was present in 66 of the patients (12%), peripancreatic necrosis in 109 (20%), walled-off necrosis in 61 (11%), acute peripancreatic fluid collections in 98 (18%), and pseudocysts in 19 (4%). Transient and persistent organ failures were present in 31 patients (6%) and 21 patients (4%), respectively. Sixteen patients (3%) died. On the basis of the DBC, 386 (71%), 131 (24%), 23 (4%), and 3 (0.6%) patients were determined to have mild, moderate, severe, or critical AP, respectively. On the basis of the RAC, 363 patients (67%), 160 patients (30%), and 20 patients (4%) were determined to have mild, moderately severe, or severe AP, respectively. The different categories of severity for each classification system were associated with statistically significant and clinically relevant differences in length of hospital stay, need for admission to the intensive care unit, nutritional support, invasive treatment, and in-hospital mortality. In comparing similar categories between the classification systems, no significant differences were found.

CONCLUSION

The DBC and the RAC accurately classify the severity of AP in subgroups of patients.

Failure to follow evidence-based best practice guidelines in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis have been established. This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that deviation from guidelines occurs frequently.

METHODS

With institutional review board approval, the outside medical records of patients with severe pancreatitis who were transferred to the study institution during the period from July 2005 to May 2012 were reviewed. Severe pancreatitis was defined using the Atlanta Classification criteria. Records were reviewed with respect to published guidelines defining the appropriate use of imaging, antibiotics and nutritional support.

RESULTS

A total of 538 patients with acute pancreatitis were identified. Of 67 patients with severe acute pancreatitis, 44 (66%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 55 years. Forty-five of 61 (74%) patients for whom relevant data were available were imaged upon admission, but only 15 (31%) patients were imaged appropriately by computerized tomography with i.v. contrast to assess the presence of necrosis or other complications. In patients for whom relevant data were available, prophylactic antibiotics were initiated in the absence of culture data or a specific infectious target in 26 (53%) patients. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was administered to 38 (60%) of 63 patients for whom relevant data were available; only 10 (17%) patients received enteric feeding. No nutritional support was provided to 15 (23%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to best practice guidelines in the treatment of severe pancreatitis is poor. The consistent application of current knowledge might improve outcomes in these patients.

Could rising BUN predict the future development of infected pancreatic necrosis?

BACKGROUND

Infected (peri)pancreatic necrosis (IPN) in acute pancreatitis (AP) is associated with organ failure (OF) and high mortality. There are no established early markers of primary IPN. This study aimed to assess the association of simple parameters with primary IPN in AP.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 281 patients with AP admitted to Mayo Clinic hospitals and identified those with microbiologically confirmed infections in (peri)pancreatic necrosis and collections. We defined primary IPN as infection of (peri)pancreatic necrotic tissue that developed before interventions. We recorded admission hematocrit, BMI, BUN, serum creatinine, SIRS score and development of persistent organ failure within 48 h of admission; and performed serial SIRS and BUN calculations for at least 48 h. We used univariate and multivariable analysis to assess associations and expressed results as odds ratio (OR)[95% CI].

RESULTS

27 (9.6%) patients developed IPN, of which 21 (77.7%) had primary IPN. 38.1% had Gram positive, 9.5% Gram negative and 52.3% mixed bacterial infections. Five (23.8%) of the patients with IPN had fungal infection. On univariate analysis, SIRS ≥ 2 at admission, rise in BUN by 5 mg/dL within 48 h of admission, persistence of SIRS for 48 h and development of persistent OF within 48 h of disease had significant association with development of primary IPN with OR (95% CI) of 4.12 (1.53-11.15), 10.25 (3.95-26.61), 1.19 (1.69-10.39) and 7.62 (2.58-21.25) [2-tailed p = 0.004, <0.0001, 0.002 and <0.0001] respectively. On multivariable analysis, only rise in BUN by 5 mg/dL within 48 h of admission was associated with primary IPN (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Rising BUN within 48 h of admission can be used to predict development of primary IPN in AP.

The classification of acute pancreatitis: Current status

The Atlanta Classification of acute pancreatitis (AP) is widely accepted and has been used by physicians and radiologists since 1992. However, advances in knowledge of the disease process, improved imaging, and ever-changing treatment options have rendered some of its definitions ambiguous and highlighted the inadequacy of its classification of severity. This review discusses revision of the Atlanta Classification (2008) and it describes a new determinant-based classification (2012). In contrast to the Atlanta Classification, the revised version and new classification are based on evidence but still need to be developed through systematic review of new data and further international consultation.

Early routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography strategy versus early conservative management strategy in acute gallstone pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The role and timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in acute gallstone pancreatitis remains controversial. A number of clinical trials and meta-analyses have provided conflicting evidence.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the clinical effectiveness and safety of the early routine ERCP strategy compared to the early conservative management with or without selective use of ERCP strategy, based on all important, clinically relevant and standardized outcomes including mortality, local and systemic complications as defined by the Atlanta Classification (Bradley 1993) and by authors of the primary study, and ERCP-related complications in unselected patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and LILACS databases and major conference proceedings up to January 2012, using the Cochrane Upper Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Diseases model with no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs comparing the early routine ERCP strategy versus the early conservative management with or without selective use of ERCP strategy in patients with suspected acute gallstone pancreatitis. We included studies in which the population with acute gallstone pancreatitis was a subgroup within a larger group of patients. We only included studies involving only a selected subgroup of patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis (actual severe pancreatitis) in subgroup analyses.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors conducted study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment independently. Using intention-to-treat analysis with random-effects models, we combined dichotomous data to obtain risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed heterogeneity using the Chi² test and I² statistic. To explore sources of heterogeneity, we conducted a priori subgroup analyses according to predicted severity of pancreatitis, cholangitis, biliary obstruction, time to ERCP in routine ERCP strategy, use of selective ERCP in conservative management strategy, and risk of bias. To assess the robustness of our results, we carried out sensitivity analyses using different summary statistics (RR versus odds ratio (OR)) and meta-analytic models (fixed versus random-effects), and per-protocol analysis. We performed influence analysis by exclusion of each study.

MAIN RESULTS

Five RCTs comprising 644 participants were included in the main analyses. Two additional RCTs, comprising only patients with actual severe acute gallstone pancreatitis, were included only in subgroup analyses. There was statistical heterogeneity among trials for mortality, but not for other outcomes. In unselected patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis, there were no statistically significant differences between the two strategies in mortality (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.03), local and systemic complications as defined by the Atlanta Classification (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.43; and RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.11 respectively) and by authors of the primary study (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.26; and RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.09 respectively). The results were robust to sensitivity and influence analyses except for systemic complications as defined by the Atlanta Classification. There was no evidence to suggest that the results were dependent on predicted severity of pancreatitis. Among trials that included patients with cholangitis, the early routine ERCP strategy significantly reduced mortality (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.68), local and systemic complications as defined by the Atlanta Classification (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.99; and RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.78 respectively) and by authors of the primary study (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.87; and RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.82 respectively). Among trials that included patients with biliary obstruction, the early routine ERCP strategy was associated with a significant reduction in local complications as defined by authors of the primary study (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.91), and a non-significant trend towards reduction of local and systemic complications as defined by the Atlanta Classification (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.07; and RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.02 respectively) and systemic complications as defined by authors of the primary study (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.01). ERCP complications were infrequent.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis, there is no evidence that early routine ERCP significantly affects mortality, and local or systemic complications of pancreatitis, regardless of predicted severity. Our results, however, provide support for current recommendations that early ERCP should be considered in patients with co-existing cholangitis or biliary obstruction.

An assessment of the severity of interstitial pancreatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There is limited information on the incidence of and factors associated with severe disease among patients with interstitial pancreatitis (IP). We evaluated a large cohort of patients with IP and compared data with those from patients with extrapancreatic necrosis (EXPN).

METHODS

We evaluated 149 consecutive patients with IP admitted over a 2.5-year period. Transferred patients were excluded. We collected data on age, Charlson comorbidity score (CCI), measures of severity on admission or within 24 hours (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, bedside index for severity of acute pancreatitis scores), persistent (>48 h) systemic inflammatory response syndrome, persistent organ failure, need for intensive care unit, length of hospital stay (in days), and mortality. We also analyzed levels of severity among those with IP and EXPN. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.1 (Cary, NC).

RESULTS

Among the patients with IP, the median CCI score was 1, the median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 7, and the median bedside index for severity of acute pancreatitis score was 1. In addition, the median length of hospital stay was only 4 days; only 1% had persistent organ failure and only 1% to 2% required intervention. The mortality rate of IP was 3%; it was associated significantly with comorbidity (the median CCI scores of nonsurvivors and survivors was 4 and 1, respectively, P = .003). Patients with EXPN had greater levels of disease severity, compared with patients with IP.

CONCLUSIONS

IP is severe in only 1% to 3% of patients; mortality of IP is associated strongly with comorbidity. EXPN is more frequently severe than IP; EXPN must be distinguished from IP in clinical studies.