The efficacy of low molecular weight heparin in severe acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objective The effects of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) have been controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LMWH on prognosis of SAP by systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods We searched relevant studies published up to March 2019 in five databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Chinese Journal of Science and Technology of VIP database). Results Sixteen randomized controlled trials with 1625 patients were included in the final analysis. Most studies were from China. In analysis of laboratory parameters and clinical scores, SAP patients receiving LMWH treatment had lower white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein level, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and computed tomography severity index. In clinical outcomes, SAP patients who received LMWH treatment had shorter hospital stay (pooled mean difference [95% confidence interval; CI] -8.79 [-11.18, -6.40], P < .01), lower mortality (pooled risk ratio [RR] [95% CI] 0.33 [0.24-0.44], P < .01), lower incidences of multiple organ failure (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.34 [0.23-0.52], P < .01), pancreatic pseudocyst (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.49 [0.27-0.90], P = .02), and operation rate (pooled RR [95% CI] 0.39 [0.31-0.50], P < .01). Conclusions LMWH could improve the prognosis of SAP, and has a potential role in reducing hospital stay, mortality, incidences of multiple organ failure, pancreatic pseudocyst, and operation rate.