Hyperamylasemia in heroin addicts. Characterization by isoamylase analysis.

Hyperamylasemia was noted in 17 (19%) of a group of 91 hospitalized heroin addicts. Thirteen of the 17 were in acute respiratory distress (12 with so-called "heroin lung" syndrome and one with status asthmaticus). Isoamylase analysis in the hyperamylasemic patients demonstrated S-type isoamylase dominance in 15, P-type isoamylase dominance in one and essentially equivalent P- and S-type isoamylase elevations in one. It would appear from these data that the hyperamylasemia after heroin in most persons addicted to the use of this drug arises from the sources other than the pancreas. Changes in the lungs occurring in association with heroin addiction seem to have an important role among the possible contributory factors.