Abdominal compartment syndrome: an under-diagnosed contributory factor to morbidity and mortality in the critically ill.
As the abdomen is a closed cavity, it follows that any increase in abdominal contents will inexorably lead to a rise in the intra-abdominal pressure. Normally this is less than 7 mm Hg, but when it persistently exceeds 12 mm Hg, renal, intestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular and central nervous system dysfunction arises. A wide range of conditions encountered in both medical and surgical intensive care units are associated with a rise in intra-abdominal pressure. When this pressure is continually above 20 mm Hg, organ system failure can occur, a condition known as abdominal compartment syndrome. Failure to recognise and treat this syndrome is associated with a high morbidity and mortality.
Hunter
J D
JD
Department of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Macclesfield District General Hospital, Victoria Road, Macclesfield SK10 3BL, UK. jdhunter@talk21.com
D000005:Abdomen / Q000098:blood supply*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011312:Pressure; D014781:Viscera