From acute pancreatitis to end-organ injury: mechanisms of acute lung injury

Abstract

Background: Multi-organ dysfunction, and in particular lung injury, is often responsible for the unfavorable outcome of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Understanding of the mechanisms by which local inflammation in the pancreas leads to end-organ injury is crucial for the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Methods: A MEDLINE search was performed with the terms "acute pancreatitis," "lung injury," "inflammatory response," "SIRS," and "multi-organ dysfunction." Pertinent articles were selected for analysis.

Results: Modulation of the inflammatory response using a combination of immunomodulatory agents may decrease the incidence of severe pancreatitis-related acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Conclusion: Clinical trials are of utmost importance to establish the validity of such strategies.