[Influence of heparin therapy on the determination of lipase in serum (author's transl)].

Following single doses of heparin and with continuous heparin infusion the activity of lipase in the serum increases temporarily and can attain pathological values also in healthy persons. Even when the heparin infusion is continued, the lipase values return after at the most 24 hours to the initial value before application of heparin. For a diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas the interpretation of lipase values in serum must consider how long the patient has been treated with heparin.