AbstractFour percent of patients with acute pancreatitis develop an acute form of respiratory overwork and die within 24 hr. To elucidate the basic physiology of this respiratory failure in a group of dogs after production of acute pancreatitis, the respiratory functions and mechanics were studied and were compared with dogs undergoing sham operation. The results showed diminished pulmonary tissue recoil accompanied by deficiency in gas exchange after acute pancreatitis. The minute respiratory volume and oxygen uptake were increased in the presence of a large pulmonary venoarterial shunt. This was associated with hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention which could be corrected with respiratory assistance by using a volume‐controlled respirator. In clinical states any evidence of respiratory overwork and decreasedPo2should be considered as a warning sign of this malignant complication of acute pancreatiti