Intra-abdominal pressure and abdominal compartment syndrome

Abstract EN

The patho-physiological embarrassment of raised Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP), known as Intra-Abdominal Hypertension (IAH), with subsequent organ dysfunction and failure, known as Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS), has recently been demonstrated to occur relatively frequent in critically ill patients.

Clinical diagnosis is unreliable, so routine measurement of IAP should be undertaken, particularly in high risk patients, for the prevention of ACS and early diagnosis, which is very important for its successful management.

The history, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management are outlined.

The purpose of this review is to enhance awareness among clinicians about a subtle condition with a devastating impact on morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed.