Elastase is an enzyme produced in the pancreas and released into the duodenum. The active digestive enzyme cleaves elastin (structural protein).
In acute pancreatitis, elastase enters the serum through a barrier defect, leading to an increase.
Serum elastase is a specific marker of acute pancreatitis.
The procedure
Material needed
- Blood serum
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- Not known
Standard values
Standard values in mg/ml | < 3,5 |
Indications
- Suspected pancreatitis, acute/chronic.
- Unclear abdominal pain in children
Interpretation
Interpretation of increased values
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), acute/chronic.
- Pancreatic carcinoma (pancreatic cancer).
- Severe hepatic insufficiency (liver weakness).
- Severe renal insufficiency (kidney weakness).
- Condition after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).
Further notes
- In addition, the elastase in the stool should also be determined