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Depression of myocardial function during acute pancreatitis
Circulatory Shock
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Acute pancreatitis temporarily impairs left ventricular function, indicated by prolonged PEP/LVET ratios. This cardiac depression may stem from a myocardial depressant factor released by the pancreas.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis can affect multiple organ systems.
- Cardiac dysfunction is a potential complication of severe acute pancreatitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate left ventricular function in patients with acute pancreatitis.
- To assess the reversibility of cardiac changes during convalescence.
Main Methods:
- Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular function using systolic time intervals.
- Measurement of the pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET) ratio.
- Serial evaluations in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- The PEP/LVET ratio was significantly prolonged during the acute phase of pancreatitis (0.470 +/- 0.031).
- The PEP/LVET ratio declined significantly during convalescence (0.376 +/- 0.017, P < 0.01).
- Convalescent values approached those seen in noncardiac alcoholics.
Conclusions:
- Acute pancreatitis causes transient left ventricular dysfunction.
- The cardiac depression is likely mediated by a myocardial depressant factor.
- Left ventricular function recovers during the convalescent period.