Association of greater intravenous volume infusion with shorter hospitalization for patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There are no data specifically correlating early intravenous volume infusion (IVI) with the length of hospitalization for postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted within 24 h after ERCP to our institute with PEP. IVI during the first 24 h after ERCP was assessed. Primary outcome was severity of PEP, defined by length of hospitalization according to consensus guidelines: mild ≤ 3, moderate 4-10, and severe > 10 days.

RESULTS

Of 72 eligible patients, 41 (56.9%) had mild and 31 (43.1%) moderate/severe PEP. Both groups had comparable demographics, indications, and procedural factors except patients with moderate/severe PEP were older (median age 49 vs 36 years, P = 0.05) and more likely to be discharged and readmitted within the first 24 h (41.9% vs 14.6%, P < 0.01). Patients with mild PEP received significantly greater IVI during the first 24 h (2834 mL [2046, 3570] vs 2044 mL [1227, 2875], P < 0.02) and 50% more fluid post-ERCP (2270 mL [1435, 2961] vs 1515 [950-2350], P < 0.02) compared with those with at least moderate PEP.

CONCLUSION

In patients with PEP, greater IVI during the first 24 h after ERCP is associated with reduced length of hospitalization. Lower IVI was more commonly observed in individuals who were discharged and then readmitted during the first 24 h.