Thromboembolic Complications in the First Year After Acute Pancreatitis Diagnosis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in patients with pancreatitis requiring hospitalization and its impact on outcomes.

Methods: Adult patients admitted from 2011 to 2018 for pancreatitis were identified. Every admission for pancreatitis in the first year after diagnosis was evaluated for a VTE (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or mesenteric vessel thrombosis) within 30 days of discharge. Characteristics of patients who developed a thromboembolic event were compared with those who did not.

Results: There were 4613 patients with pancreatitis identified, 301 of whom developed a VTE (6.5%). Patients who developed a VTE were more likely to be male (P < 0.01), older (P = 0.03), and have an underlying coagulopathy (P < 0.01). Those with VTEs were more likely to die (27% vs 13%, P < 0.01), have more readmissions for pancreatitis (1.7 vs 1.3, P < 0.01), longer length of stay (16 vs 5.5 days, P < 0.01), and be discharged to acute or long-term rehabilitation rather than home (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis requiring hospitalization is associated with high risk of VTE in the first year after diagnosis. Thromboembolic disease is associated with worse morbidity and mortality.