Highlights & Basics
- Abdominal compartment syndrome is most commonly due to excessive fluid resuscitation (>5 L in 24 hours) or massive blood transfusion (>10 units in 24 hours).
- Clinical signs are nonspecific and appear late. Classic findings are of increased airway pressure, decreased urine output, and a tense abdomen.
- Diagnosis depends on proactive monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in patients with risk factors.
- Medical options to decrease IAP include evacuation of intraluminal contents, optimization of fluid balance, correct body positioning, adequate analgesia, and, in severe cases, neuromuscular blockade.
- Definitive treatment is surgical abdominal decompression; reserved for patients in whom medical interventions fail.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
The World Society of the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. WSACS consensus guidelines summary. Apr 2021 [internet publication].[Full Text]
An G, West MA. Abdominal compartment syndrome: a concise clinical review. Crit Care Med. 2008 Apr;36(4):1304-10.[Abstract]
Iberti TJ, Kelly KM, Gentili DR, et al. A simple technique to accurately determine intra-abdominal pressure. Crit Care Med. 1987Dec;15(12):1140-2.[Abstract]
Cheatham ML, Malbrain ML, Kirkpatrick A, et al. Results from the International Conference of Experts on Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. II. Recommendations. Intensive Care Med. 2007 Jun;33(6):951-62.[Abstract]
de Laet IE, Malbrain M. Current insights in intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. Med Intensiva. 2007 Mar;31(2):88-99.[Abstract]
Malbrain ML, De Laet I, Cheatham M. Consensus conference definitions and recommendations on intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and the abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS): the long road to the final publications, how did we get there? Acta Clin Belg Suppl. 2007;62(Suppl 1):44-59.[Abstract]
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19. Iberti TJ, Kelly KM, Gentili DR, et al. A simple technique to accurately determine intra-abdominal pressure. Crit Care Med. 1987Dec;15(12):1140-2.[Abstract]
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