Severe pancreatitis is not just abdominal pain with an elevated lipase.
It can become a systemic inflammatory disease with shock, respiratory failure, renal injury, and abdominal compartment physiology.
The early phase of severe pancreatitis is driven by inflammation.
Pancreatic injury triggers local enzyme activation, cytokine release, endothelial dysfunction, and capillary leak. Fluid shifts from the intravascular space into the interstitium and retroperitoneum.
This is third spacing.
Full post, key takeaways, references, and the rest of the Core Medical Education collection are available for WhiteBoard Medicine members.
Crystalloids, colloids, fluid responsiveness, venous congestion, and de-resuscitation physiology.
Blog PreviewA bedside perfusion trial comparing capillary refill time with lactate-guided septic shock resuscitation.
Mini CoursesStructured video chapters, study guides, practice questions, final assessments, and clinical summaries.
Study Guide TopicDialysis indications, CRRT modalities, solute clearance, ultrafiltration, and ICU renal support.
Study Guide TopicShock phenotypes, perfusion assessment, lactate interpretation, and hemodynamic differentiation.
