[Hyperamylasaemia in patients in shock (author's transl)]

In 69 patients, treated in the intensive care unit of the department of traumatology we have examined the blood amylase activity. We found, that traumatic shock produced an increase in serum-amylase. Hyperamylasaemia is strongly related to the duration of shock and is due to an increase in S-type amylase. The increase is probably caused by an increased production and not by decreased renal excretion. The mechanism of hyperamylasaemia and the source of it are discussed.