title: Gastrointestinal complications in the intensive care unit.
abstract: Pathologic conditions affecting the abdomen are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit, but their importance is not widely recognized. This article presents several aspects of abdominal pathology that can occur in intensive care unit patients. This pathology may have a considerable impact on the prognosis and survival of the critically ill patient. The diagnostic contribution of laboratory tests and imaging is discussed. Conditions such as the abdominal compartment syndrome, acute mesenteric ischemia, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal sepsis, complications of entereal and parenteral nutrition, and ileus in critically ill patients are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center, City University of New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liolios
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Oropello
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benjamin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology