Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Secondary Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in Medical Patients – Complication with a High Mortality

Objective: To determine the incidence and the severity of intra-abdominal hypertension in non-surgical patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Materials and methods: : From June 2009 to December 2012 we studied prospectively a randomized group of nonsurgical patients that remained more than 48 hours at our ICU. For the purpose of the screening the intra abdominal pressure was measured using an intravesical technique performed in the following manner: after administration of the patients in the ICU at 2 p.m., and after that at regular intervals – 6 hours later at 8 p.m., 12 hours later at 8 a.m., and then 6 hours later at 2 p.m. again. The same time intervals were kept during the second and third day Results: Our study found a high incidence (34%) of intra-abdominal hypertension in this "non-traditional" for this type of patients’ complications, wherein 2.5% had a level III and IV Conclusion: Patients who developed IAH had a high SOFA score > 10, and high mortality 63%. These facts indicate a recommendation for monitoring of the IAH in this patient study group, and show the necessary need for adequate treatment of the advanced intra-abdominal pathological process and the related adverse complications.