title: Intra-abdominal hypertension in the ICU - a prospective epidemiological study.
abstract: The aim of this prospective study is to examine the frequency and the severity of intra-abdominal hypertension in a mixed ICU of the University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A closed system for intravesical intermittent measurement of IAP was constructed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency and the severity of IAH were examined in the period from June 2009 to December 2012 in 240 ICU patients divided into 3 groups (patients submitted to elective surgery, emergency surgery, and medical patients) in the University Hospital. In the elective surgery group there was 12.5% IAH, while in the emergency group IAH was 43.75%, and in the medical patients it was 42.5%. There was no statistical significant difference in the frequency of IAH among the mixed population of patients we examined and those studied by other authors with the same type of population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The standardized measurement of intra-abdominal pressure is fundamental for defining intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. The measurement of intra-abdominal pressure should be a part of the basic monitoring of patients at risk of intra-abdominal hypertension. Our point of view is that before there are indications for a surgical decompression, less invasive treatment options should be optimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Anesthesia and Emergency Medicine, Trakia University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Georgi M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Arabadzhiev
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection Diseases and Epidemiology, Trakia University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Valentina G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Tzaneva
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, Trakia University, Medical Faculty, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: Katya G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Peeva
keywords: abdominal compartment syndrome; intra-abdominal hypertension; intra-abdominal pressure