Hemolysis can trigger pancreatitis. Various mechanisms have been proposed, including the release of free heme or of cytokines.
Clinical features:
(1) The patient is initially without evidence of pancreatitis.
(2) The patient undergoes a hemolytic episode (hemolytic transfusion reaction, hemolytic anemia, other).
(3) The patient develops an acute pancreatitis following the onset of the hemolysis, with epigastric and/or back pain, hyperamylasemia, and pancreatic swelling on imaging studies.
(4) No other condition can explain the pancreatitis.
(5) The patient may experience recurrent episodes of pancreatitis with a recurrent episode of hemolysis.
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