Painless pancreatitis after implantation of a biventricular assistive device.
This young cardiac transplant patient developed painless acute pancreatitis within 10 days of implantation of a biventricular assist device (BIVAD). Historical, physical, laboratory, and imaging data allowed conservative management leading to a favorable outcome. Acute pancreatitis after cardiac transplantation is common with a significant mortality rate. Immunosuppression may play an important role in this process as well as infectious and pancreaticobiliary etiologies. Whereas acute pancreatitis is a well-documented complication of cardiac transplantation, this event has not previously been reported in patients who have received a BIVAD. The mechanism by which BIVAD placement may result in pancreatitis is unknown.
Swanson
K E
KE
Divisions of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA.
Ward
E M
EM
Wolfsen
H C
HC
D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000681:Amylases