Definitions of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography-related complication13
| Complication | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography; IHD, ischaemic heart disease. | |||
| Bleeding | Clinical (not just endoscopic)evidence of bleeding; HB drop <3 g;no transfusion | Transfusion (4 U or less), no angiographic or surgical intervention | Transfusion (⩾5 U) or intervention (angiographic or surgical), or resulting in death |
| Perforation | Possible or slight leak of contrast;treated by fluids and suction for ⩽3 days | Any definite perforation treated medically for 4–10 days | Hospitalisation for >10 days or any intervention (percutaneous or surgical), or resulting in death. |
| Pancreatitis (abdominal pain and amylase >3N after 24 h) | Requiring admission or prolongation of planned admission to ⩾2 nights | Requiring 4–10 days of hospitalisation | Admission for >10 days; haemorrhagic pancreatitis; pseudocyst; intervention required; death |
| Infection (cholangitis) | >38°C for 24–48 h | Febrile or septic illness requiring >3 days hospitalisation or endoscopic/percutaneous intervention | Septic shock or surgery, or resulting in death |
| Miscellaneous (includes symptomatic IHD, aspiration pneumonia, drug reactions) | Onset of relevant symptoms within 3 days of ERCP | Onset of relevant symptoms within 3 days of ERCP, requiring 4–10 days of hospitalisation | Onset of relevant symptom within 3 days of ERCP, requiring >10 days of hospitalisation or ITU or surgical/radiological intervention, or resulting in death |
| Requires 1–3 days of hospitalisation/ prolongation of stay | |||