English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis (AP) runs a moderately severe and severe course in around 20 % - 30 % of cases. It can progress into severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and pancreatic necrosis if not appropriately intervened. This study aims to study the effect of low molecular weight heparin in treating acute pancreatitis. METHODS This was a prospective hospital-based study. Patients presenting to the emergency ward in our hospital with acute pancreatitis features with a duration of 72 hours or less and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. They were randomly divided into those receiving standard care alone, and standard care low molecular weight heparin in addition to routine management, and results were calculated using the chi-square test. RESULTS The number of patients in the present study was 100. The most common age group affected was 30 - 40 years. Out of 100, 94 were male patients, and 6 were female patients. There is no notable difference in the mean age group between the groups. The recovery percentage is 98 % in patients with low molecular weight heparin. The recovery rate is 86 % in patients without low molecular weight heparin. The mortality rate is 2 % in patients with low molecular weight heparin. The mortality rate is 14 % in patients without low molecular weight heparin. It was found that the low molecular weight heparin usage has brought a significant difference in the patients. Outcome affected with acute pancreatitis had a significant P - value of 0.02. CONCLUSIONS The low molecular weight heparin by its property of improving the micro circulations relieves the abdominal pain, prevents the disease's further progression, and hence reduces the duration of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality associated with the disease and enhances the recovery rate. KEYWORDS Acute Pancreatitis, Severe Acute Pancreatitis, Low Molecular Weight Heparin, Microcirculation, Systemic Inflammatory Response