title: Abdominal compartment syndrome: pathophysiology and definitions.
abstract: "Intra-abdominal hypertension", the presence of elevated intra-abdominal pressure, and "abdominal compartment syndrome", the development of pressure-induced organ-dysfunction and failure, have been increasingly recognized over the past decade as causes of significant morbidity and mortality among critically ill surgical and medical patients. Elevated intra-abdominal pressure can cause significant impairment of cardiac, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and central nervous system function. The significant prognostic value of elevated intra-abdominal pressure has prompted many intensive care units to adopt measurement of this physiologic parameter as a routine vital sign in patients at risk. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiologic implications of elevated intra-abdominal pressure is fundamental to 1) recognizing the presence of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome, 2) effectively resuscitating patients afflicted by these potentially life-threatening diseases, and 3) preventing the development of intra-abdominal pressure-induced end-organ dysfunction and failure. The currently accepted consensus definitions surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Education, Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida 32806, USA. michael.cheatham@orlandohealth.com
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cheatham
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans