Activated Protein C in Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Inclusion Criteria: * Admitted to hospital within 72 h of the onset of pain. * Plasma amylase concentration more than three times the upper limit of the normal range and/or CT findings compatible with AP. * Organ failure and \<48h of the onset of the first organ failure Exclusion Criteria: * HIV / B- or C hepatitis infection * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Active bleeding * Increased risk of bleeding (thrombocytes \<30x10E9/L or INR\>3.0 * Gastrointestinal bleeding within 6 weeks or intracranial stroke within 3 months before the study * Intravenous contrast extravasation or other signs (fresh hematoma) suggesting active hemorrhage within the pancreas or in the peripancreatic area on admission CT scan * Use of antithrombin III within 12 h * Use of acetylsalicylic acid or glycoprotein IIB/IA antagonist within 7 days / Thrombolytic therapy within 3 days * Surgery requiring general or spinal anaesthesia within 12 h * Previous pancreatic surgery * Application of an epidural catheter within 48 h