Pancreatitis is a known complication of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Although ischemia is believed to be a factor, the exact cause of pancreatitis after cardiopulmonary bypass remains unknown.
We prospectively studied 67 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass for evaluation of the pancreatic injury after cardiopulmonary bypas. Serial measurement of amylase level in serum and urine was done
postoperatively.
Hyperamylasemia was detected in 15 patients (22.4%), of whom no patient had pancreatitis. There was no significant difference between serum amylase level and parameters such as cardiopulmonay bypass time, aortic cross clamp time, mean blood
pressure,
rectal temperature, flow rate, and use of circulatory arrest during cardiopulmonary bypass. Hyperamylasuria was detected in 8 patients (11.9%), and urine amylase level was elevated significantly in the groups with prolonged cardiopulmonary
bypass,
mean
blood pressure more than 40mmHg, and rectal temperature more than 20℃.
We recommend that serum amylase level and/or amylase-creatinine clearance ratio is measured for ealy detection and management of pancreatitis after cardiopulmonary bypass.
(Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1995;28:892-9)
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