Verapamil is beneficial in a model of post-ERCP pancreatitis

To assess the effect of the calcium blocking drug, verapamil, in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced by retrograde taurocholate injection into the pancreato-biliary duct of Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were then randomized into four groups and 1 ml saline or verapamil (1 g/kg) was administered before induction of pancreatitis or 2 h after taurocholate injection. Pancreatitis was confirmed by elevation of serum amylase levels and by histological alterations in pancreatic specimens from all animals. Survival was significantly increased in rats given verapamil prior to the induction of pancreatitis; however, delayed treatment was not effective. This study suggests that verapamil may have a beneficial role in the prophylaxis of pancreatitis following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).