Extra-pancreatic complications, especially hemodialysis predict mortality and length of stay, in ICU patients admitted with acute pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with acute pancreatitis (AP) are at risk for extra-pancreatic complications given their severe illness and prolonged length of stay. We sought to determine the rate of extra-pancreatic complications and its effect on length of stay (LOS) and mortality in ICU patients with AP.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of ICU patients admitted to a tertiary-care center with a diagnosis of AP.

Use of a novel docosahexaenoic acid formulation vs control in a neonatal porcine model of short bowel syndrome leads to greater intestinal absorption and higher systemic levels of DHA.

Infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS) are at high risk for malabsorption, malnutrition, and failure to thrive. The objective of this study was to evaluate in a porcine model of SBS, the systemic absorption of a novel enteral Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) formulation that forms micelles independent of bile salts (DHA-ALT®). We hypothesized that enteral delivery of DHA-ALT® would result in higher blood levels of DHA compared to a control DHA preparation due to improved intestinal absorption.

Defining the diagnostic value of hyperlipasemia for acute pancreatitis in the critically ill.

Background/objectives: Hyperlipasemia is frequently encountered in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The degree to which it should be valued in making the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) in critically ill patients remains uncertain. We sought to determine the diagnostic accuracy of hyperlipasemia and the optimal lipase cutoff for diagnosing AP in critically ill patients.