Increased thromboembolic risk in non-neoplastic pancreatic diseases: A review focusing on acute pancreatitis
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Keywords
Acute Pancreatitis, Venous thromboembolism, Deep vein thrombosis, Pulmonary embolism, Anticoagulation.
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. While VTE is well-established in pancreatic malignancy, its association with non-neoplastic pancreatic conditions, particularly acute pancreatitis (AP), is less clearly defined and frequently underrecognized in clinical practice. This narrative review aims to explore and synthesize existing literature on the thromboembolic complications associated with AP, highlighting the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical implications, and current gaps in prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. We reviewed published studies from major databases up to June 2025, focusing on epidemiological trends, pathological mechanisms related to inflammation-induced thrombosis, and clinical outcomes in patients with AP complicated by VTE. The review discusses pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical features and diagnostic challenges due to symptom overlap, current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies, and the limited but growing real-world evidence on anticoagulation in this setting.
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