Severe pancreatitis can result in a number of vascular complications.
Mechanisms:
(1) necrotizing inflammation associated with proteolytic enzymes
(2) infection
Arterial complications:
(1) pseudoaneurysm
(2) hemorrhagic pseudocysts
(3) wall disruption with hemorrhage
Venous complications:
(1) thrombosis (portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein)
(2) wall disruption with hemorrhage
Rupture of arterial pseudoaneurysms is responsible for 60% of acute hemorrhage in pancreatitis and can result in catastrophic bleeding.
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Specialty: Gastroenterology
