[Acute pancreatitis: severity factors. Retrospective analysis of 78 cases]

Retrospective analysis of clinical and laboratory findings was undertaken in 78 patients in which pancreatitis was confirmed pathologically. In our experience, severity factors are as follows: age over 55 years and, during the first 48 hours, fall in haematocrit of more than 10%, corrected plasma calcium lower than 8 mg %, plasma creatinine greater than 30 mg/1, hypoxia less than 60 mm Hg, resistant to assisted ventilation, liquid sequestration more than 6 litres. These objective parameters define the group of patients who, in our experience, should derive benefit from new suggested forms of treatment.