The possible role of platelet-activating factor antagonist therapy in the management of severe acute pancreatitis.

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the possible role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist therapy as a means of modifying the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in the management of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (AP). Supposed specific treatments of AP have not shown clinical benefit, with antiprotease agents such as aprotinin and gabexate mesilate, as well as fresh frozen plasma, being ineffective. In addition, early peritoneal lavage, intravenous glucagon, somatostatin and octreotide have shown no benefit.