Predicting post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis using the 4-h serum lipase level

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a complex therapeutic procedure that is complicated by pancreatitis in 3–5% of cases. The aim of this study is to determine whether a 4-h post-ERCP serum lipase level is superior to the serum amylase level in predicting the occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 543 consecutive patients undergoing therapeutic ERCP at a single centre. Serum lipase and amylase levels were measured at 4-h post-procedure and were recorded as a factor of the upper limit of normal: amylase factor (AF) and lipase factor (LF). Sensitivity and specificity were compa..