Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis

PulmCrit ( EMCrit)

Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis: Can we defuse the bomb?

PulmCrit- March 13, 2017 - By Josh Farkas

"Summary: The Bullet

• Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis is common among critically ill pancreatitis patients, but receives little attention.
• Measuring a triglyceride level should be considered in all patients with pancreatitis.
• The diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis is based upon an elevated triglyceride level (typically >1,000 mg/dL) and exclusion of other likely causes.
• In addition to general therapies for pancreatitis, patients with hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis may also benefit from treatments targeted at reducing triglyceride levels (either plasmapheresis or insulin infusion).
• Some recent evidence suggests that insulin infusion may be more effective than plasmapheresis clinically. Insulin infusion is also safer and easier to initiate immediately."