Activated Protein C in Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Summary

Activated protein C (APC)has been shown to reduce mortality in severe sepsis(Bernard et al. 2001b). The clinical picture of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is similar to that of sepsis. The investigators conducted a randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot study in AP patients (16+16) with the same dose of APC that has been proven to be efficacious and safe in septic patients. The aim of the study is to investigate whether the APC replacement therapy diminishes the occurrence and severity of organ dysfunction in patients with severe AP. The effect of APC on inflammatory and hemostatic parameters is also assessed.

Timeline

Start

2003-06

Primary completion

2007-09

Completion

2007-09

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

paper No significant difference in SOFA score change between the APC and placebo groups was found (difference in means (DIM) +2.3, 95% CI -0.7 to +5.3). PMID 20663207 ↗

Publications

• Background Bernard GR, Vincent JL, Laterre PF, LaRosa SP, Dhainaut JF, Lopez-Rodriguez A, Steingrub JS, Garber GE, Helterbrand JD, Ely EW, Fisher CJ Jr; Recombinant human protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) study group. Efficacy and safety of recombinant human activated protein C for severe sepsis. N Engl J Med. 2001 Mar 8;344(10):699-709. doi: 10.1056/NEJM200103083441001.
• Pettila V, Kyhala L, Kylanpaa ML, Leppaniemi A, Tallgren M, Markkola A, Puolakkainen P, Repo H, Kemppainen E. APCAP--activated protein C in acute pancreatitis: a double-blind randomized human pilot trial. Crit Care. 2010;14(4):R139. doi: 10.1186/cc9203. Epub 2010 Jul 27.

Drugs

Indications