Acta Clin Belg
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Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome are a common occurrence in ICU patients. The deleterious effects of IAH on organ function are well known and increasingly appreciated in recent years, especially where renal and respiratory function are concerned. ⋯ A close relationship between IAP and ICP has been observed in several animal and human studies. The clinical impact of this association is dependent on the baseline ICP and the compensatory reserve of the patient. Some studies have reported good results in treating refractory ICH by abdominal decompression in patients with concomitant IAH. Monitoring of IAP and ICP in risk patients is essential.
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Comparative Study
Acute kidney injury, length of stay, and costs in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) results in increased morbidity, mortality, and as a consequence, higher health-care costs. The bad prognosis associated with this condition and limited health-care budgets both have raised the issue of how much therapy should be dedicated to ICU patients with AKI. As no universally-agreed standardized definition for AKI is available, wide ranges of incidence are reported and precise estimates of its associated excess of costs are, therefore, difficult to explore. ⋯ Moreover, among survivors, even greater requirements of in-hospital and post-hospitalization care was noted. Notwithstanding the high health-economic burden, full supportive intensive care treatment is justified in this particular cohort of patients. Major efforts are highly required in terms of public health prevention initiatives and the early recognition and timely management of AKI, in ICU hospitalized patients in particular.
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Since the second World Congress on the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WCACS) in Noosa 2 years ago, interest and publications on intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and ACS have increased exponentially. This paper aimed to critically review recent publications and put this new data into the context of already acquired knowledge concerning IAH/ACS. ⋯ After publication of consensus guidelines on IAH/ACS, there is an urgent need for human intervention studies and, in parallel, clinically relevant animal models. Given moderately low incidence of ACS and the complex and interrelated pathologies of the critically ill patient with IAH/ACS, large animal models of pathology-induced IAH/ACS might create the opportunity to gain clinically relevant knowledge on the treatment of IAH/ACS.
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Cardiovascular dysfunction and failure are commonly encountered in the patient with intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome. Accurate assessment and optimization of preload, contractility, and afterload, in conjunction with appropriate goal-directed resuscitation and abdominal decompression when indicated, are essential to restoring end-organ perfusion and maximizing patient survival. The validity of traditional hemodynamic resuscitation endpoints, such as pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and central venous pressure, must be reconsidered in the patient with intra-abdominal hypertension as these pressure-based estimates of intravascular volume have significant limitations in patients with elevated intra-abdominal pressure. ⋯ Volumetric monitoring techniques have been proven to be superior to traditional intra-cardiac filling pressures in directing the appropriate resuscitation of this patient population. Calculation of the "abdominal perfusion pressure", defined as mean arterial pressure minus intra-abdominal pressure, has been shown to be a beneficial resuscitation endpoint as it assesses not only the severity of the patient's intra-abdominal hypertension, but also the adequacy of abdominal blood flow. Application of a goal-directed resuscitation strategy, including abdominal decompression when indicated, improves cardiac function, reverses end-organ failure, and minimizes intra-abdominal hypertension-related patient morbidity and mortality.
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Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) can develop within 12 hours of ICU admission in high-risk patients. Until recently the intermittent intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurement via the urinary catheter was the clinical standard. This is a relatively labour intensive technique and its intermittent nature could prevent timely recognition of significant changes in IAP. The historical continuous IAP (CIAP) measurements were poorly reproducible (gastric route) or invasive/impractical (direct measurement). The aim of this paper is to review the current evidence on CIAP monitoring. ⋯ Until a better technique is available the CIAP monitoring via the bladder or stomach should be considered as the standard for continuous monitoring of the IAP. It is a less labour intensive, safe, less invasive and reliable method.