Ischemia/reperfusion-induced pancreatitis

Background/Aim: The pancreas is an organ highly susceptible to ischemic dam age, This discussion reviews the role of ischemia as an etiologic factor in acute pancreatitis, Methods: Literature review. Results: The susceptibilit y of the pancreas to ischemia/reperfusion injury has been demonstrated in e xperimental studies and in clinical settings such as cardiopulmonary bypass , hemorrhagic shock, and transplantation of the pancreas, Oxygen free radic als, activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, failure of microvascular p erfusion, cellular acidosis, and disturbance of intracellular homeostasis a ppear to be important factors/mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ischemia/re perfusion-induced acute pancreatitis, In clinical practice, the diagnosis o f ischemic pancreatitis is difficult and often delayed, especially during t he postoperative period after cardiac or major vascular surgery. Conclusion s: Ischemia appears to be one important factor in acute pancreatitis. The m anagement of ischemic pancreatitis is similar to that of acute pancreatitis of any etiology, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel.