Acute Pancreatitis: Clinical Evaluation, Risk Stratification, and Evidence-Based Management
Definition & Pathophysiology Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an acute inflammatory process of the pancreas, characterized by autodigestion of pancreatic tissue due to premature activation of pancreatic enzymes (e.g., trypsinogen → trypsin), leading to local injury and systemic inflammation. This triggers a cascade involving cytokine release, complement activation, oxidative stress, and microvascular thrombosis—culminating in potentially life-threatening…
