ABSTRACT
Approximately 20-25% of patients developing acute pancreatitis (AP), have the severe form of the disease in which respiratory insufficiency or failure is the clinical entity which is most responsible for determining outcome.1-4 Renal compromise or failure is the next most important clinical effect, while cardiac insufficiency or failure is also very important.2-5 Less frequently major coagulation problems, often manifest by thrombocytopenia and major neurological disturbances, may occur. It is the development of organ failure which is the most important factor determining outcome6-9 and while much attention has been made to focus on the volume of ischaemic or necrotic pancreas detected by modern imaging techniques,10-12 the early development of organ failure is of paramount importance.
