Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Technical Detail for Robot Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Published on: September 28, 2019
Vascular complications of chronic pancreatitis: A tertiary center experience
Abhinav Anand1, Deepak Gunjan1, Samagra Agarwal1
1Department of Gastroenterology and Human Nutrition Unit, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
Insights
Vascular complications like venous thrombosis and pseudoaneurysm affect over 12% of chronic pancreatitis patients. Alcoholic pancreatitis and pseudocysts are key risk factors for these serious conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Vascular complications, including venous thrombosis (VT) and pseudoaneurysm, are recognized complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP).
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors for these complications is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of vascular complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
- To identify independent risk factors associated with the development of venous thrombosis and pseudoaneurysm in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of 1363 patients with CP from January 2002 to August 2019.
- Identification of venous thrombosis and pseudoaneurysm using radiological imaging.
- Multivariate Cox-proportional hazards analysis to determine risk factors.
Main Results:
- Vascular complications were observed in 166 (12.2%) of CP patients, with isolated VT in 132 and pseudoaneurysm in 17.
- Alcoholic CP (ACP), pseudocyst, and inflammatory head mass were independent risk factors for VT.
- ACP and pseudocyst were independent risk factors for pseudoaneurysm. Gastrointestinal bleeding was more common in patients with pseudoaneurysm and ACP.
Conclusions:
- Vascular complications are frequent in chronic pancreatitis, with venous thrombosis being more common than pseudoaneurysm.
- Alcoholic pancreatitis and pseudocysts are significant independent risk factors for developing vascular complications in CP patients.
Introduction:
Vascular complications such as venous thrombosis (VT) and pseudoaneurysm are not uncommon in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). The aim of this study to was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for vascular complications in patients with CP.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of patients with CP presenting from January 2002 to August 2019 was performed. Venous thrombosis and pseudoaneurysm were identified using radiological imaging, and their risk factors were identified using multivariate Cox-proportional hazards.
Results:
Of 1363 patients with CP, 166 (12.2%) had vascular complications. Isolated VT was present in 132, pseudoaneurysm in 17, and both in 17 patients. They were more commonly seen in males and alcoholic CP (ACP), and less commonly in patients with pancreatic atrophy and calcification. It involved the vessels in the closest proximity to the pancreas, VT most commonly involving the splenic vein whereas pseudoaneurysm most commonly involved the splenic artery. Alcoholic CP [odds ratio (OR) 2.1, p = 0.002], pseudocyst (OR 4.6, p < 0.001) and inflammatory head mass (OR 3.1, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for VT, whereas ACP (OR 3.49, p = 0.006) and pseudocyst (OR 3.2, p = 0.002) were independent risk factors for pseudoaneurysm. Gastrointestinal bleed occurred in 3.5% patients, and more commonly in patients with pseudoaneurysm than VT (64.7% vs 15.9%), and in patients with ACP in comparison to other etiologies (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Vascular complications are a common complication of CP, VT being more frequent than pseudoaneurysm. Pseudocyst and ACP are independent risk factors for the development of vascular complications.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:30Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include: