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Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Author -  <a href='https://www.medindia.net/content-team/dr-simi-paknikar.asp' target='_blank'>Dr. Simi Paknikar, MD</a>
Medically Reviewed by <a href='https://www.medindia.net/content-team/dr-nithin-jayan.asp' target='_blank'>Dr. Nithin Jayan, MBBS, DNB</a> on Mar 12, 2022
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nithin Jayan, MBBS, DNB on Mar 12, 2022


What is Abdominal Compartment Syndrome?

Abdominal compartment syndrome is defined as an intra-abdominal pressure of more than 20 mm Hg that results in the failure of an organ like the kidney or the lung.


The normal intraabdominal pressure, which is the pressure within the abdomen, usually ranges between 5 and 7 mm Hg, with a maximum pressure of 12 mm Hg considered as normal. Intra-abdominal hypertension is defined as a sustained elevation of intra-abdominal pressure of more than 12 mm Hg. The following grades have been assigned for intra-abdominal hypertension:

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

What are the Causes of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome?

Abdominal compartment syndrome may arise due to condition in the abdomen, or outside the abdomen. Depending on the cause, abdominal compartment syndrome is classified as:

The condition usually requires early surgical treatment or radiological intervention.

Patients at risk of developing abdominal compartment syndrome include those with:

What are the Symptoms of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome?

Some of the changes that occur due to the increase in intra-abdominal pressure include:

Some symptoms and signs of abdominal compartment syndrome include:


How Do You Diagnose Abdominal Compartment Syndrome?

Diagnosis of abdominal compartment syndrome is based on the measurement of the pressure in the urinary bladder via a urinary catheter with the patient in lying down position. This pressure reflects the intra-abdominal pressure. An upper limit of 25cc fluid is introduced into the bladder during the procedure.

Measurement of intra-abdominal pressure via the urinary bladder may not be possible in patients with bladder problems. In such patients, the intra-abdominal pressure may be measured by a tube inserted into the stomach, a catheter inserted via the femoral vein into the inferior vena cava, or direct measurement of the pressure in the abdomen.

Continuous measurement of the intraabdominal pressure is preferred to intermittent measurement in some cases.

How Do You Treat Abdominal Compartment Syndrome?

Treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome is carried out in a critical care unit. The intra-abdominal pressure is reduced so that the blood supply to the abdominal organs is not affected and damage is prevented. The treatment includes the following:

Supportive care:


Approaches to reduce intra-abdominal pressure:

Surgery:

Health Tips

References:

  1. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Current Therapy - (http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/908169)
  2. Hunt L, Frost SA, Hillman K, Newton PJ, Davidson PM. Management of intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: a review. J Trauma Manage Outcomes (2014) 8: 2. doi:10.1186/1752-2897-8-2
  3. Kirkpatrick AW et al. Intra-abdominal hypertension and the abdominal compartment syndrome: updated consensus definitions and clinical practice guidelines from the World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. Intensive Care Medicine. 2013; 39 (7): 1190 � 1206.

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