Polyacrylamide amylase isoenzymes in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic hyperamylasemia

Electrophoretic serum isoamylases were studied in patients with elevated amylase activity due to salivary or pancreatic disorders (symptomatic hyperamylasemia) and in hyperamylasemic patients without clinical, radiological and laboratory evidence of any disease involving these organs (asymptomatic hyperamylasemia). Elevated pancreatic or salivary peaks were shown to account for the serum amylase activity in the first group. Different isoamylase peaks were found to be elevated in the second group, providing diagnostic information indicating that further examinations were required. In conclusion, invasive pancreatic investigations appear to be unnecessary in hyperamylasemia patients with a normal pattern of pancreatic isoamylases.