Clinical Significance of Increased Lipase Levels on Admission to the ICU

Elevated serum lipase levels are frequently encountered in critically ill patients. In the majority of these patients, enteral feedings are well tolerated and there are minimal clinical sequelae. Extremely high lipase levels may be associated with radiologic evidence of pancreatitis. Hypoperfusion and inflammatory processes associated with multiple-organ failure appear to be contribute to these increases.