Heparin and insulin in the management of hypertriglyceridemia-associated pancreatitis: case series and literature review

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Mar-Apr;61(2):198-201. doi: 10.1590/2359-3997000000244. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Abstract

Severe hypertriglyceridemia accounts for up to 7% of all cases of acute pancreatitis. Heparin and insulin activate lipoprotein lipase (LPL), thereby reducing plasma triglyceride levels. However, the safety and efficacy of heparin and insulin in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis have not been well established yet. We successfully used heparin and insulin as first-line therapy in four consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia. In a literature search, we revised almost all reports published to date of patients managed successfully with this combination. Heparin and insulin appear to be a safe, effective, and inexpensive first-line therapy for hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Fenofibrate / therapeutic use
  • Heparin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / complications*
  • Hypertriglyceridemia / drug therapy
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Insulin / therapeutic use*
  • Lipoprotein Lipase / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatitis / etiology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Triglycerides
  • Heparin
  • Lipoprotein Lipase
  • Fenofibrate