S1749 Hypertriglyceridemia-Induced Pancreatitis in the Setting of Acute COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Introduction: Profound hypertriglyceridemia has been documented in cases of acute and prior COVID-19 infections. A common cause of acute pancreatitis is hypertriglyceridemia. In some cases, this can require intensive care unit (ICU) admission for management. Case Description/Methods: The patient is a 49-year-old male with a history of recent COVID-19 infection who initially presented for epigastric pain with intractable nausea and vomiting. He was found to have acute pancreatitis on imaging and lab work. Incidentally, he was found to be COVID-19 positive. He had no respiratory or infectious symptoms from this infection. The patient was initially admitted to ICU for his triglyceride level reading greater than 5680. He was managed with an insulin drip for resolution of his hypertriglyceridemia. The patient required an extended ICU stay as his triglyceride level remained difficult to decrease while on the insulin drip. Eventually, he was able to be downgraded to the hospital floor after a 6-day ICU stay requiring an insulin drip to decrease his profound hypertriglyceridemia. Discussion: Interestingly, the patient’s refractory hypertriglyceridemia remained difficult to treat. It has been previously documented that COVID-19 infections can lead to hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to an increase of acute pancreatitis admissions secondary to COVID-19 infections. In conclusion, more research is warranted into the association between hypertriglyceride-induced pancreatitis and COVID-19 infection.