Abdominal compartment syndrome

= organ dysfunction caused by intra-abdominal hypertension

It can be:

– Acute – caused by  acute intra-abdominal pathology or large fluid volume resuscitation

– Chronic  – occurs in the presence of ascites, peritoneal dialysis or an intraabdominal mass, often in the later stages of a chronic disease

Types of organ dysfunction:

– respiratory insufficiency secondary to compromised tidal volumes

– decreased urine output caused by falling renal perfusion

– metabolic acidosis

– decreased cardiac output – hypotension, tachycardia; elevated CVP despite hypovolaemia

Medical treatment is not effective.