Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and Pancreatitis: A Potential Dose-dependent Relationship.

UNLABELLED: Acute pancreatitis (AP) remains one of the most common causes of emergency department visits in the USA. The literature supports an association between angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), mainly at steady-state doses, and AP[1]. We present a case of recurrent AP and pseudocyst formation following multiple ACEi dose adjustments after a steady-state period lasting for over a decade. Previous reports have rarely described ACEi-induced pancreatitis and pseudocyst development. ACEi can cause significant ductal obstruction[2] and fluid retention due to its angioedema effects. Consequently, it may trigger AP complicated by pseudocyst formation. Therefore, ACEi administration must be considered in the appropriate clinical context.

LEARNING POINTS: Although rare, ACEi is an emerging cause of drug-induced pancreatitis and often goes unrecognized.Multiple dose changes within a short period of time can lead to acute drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP), in addition to classic DIP caused by steady-state doses.ACEi-induced angioedema damages the ductal architecture and also has longer-lasting effects such as pseudocyst formation.