The secondary and recurrent abdominal compartment syndrome
A W Kirkpatrick1, J J De Waele, C G Ball
1RegionalTrauma Services, Faculty of Medicine, Foothills Hospital, University of Calgary Calgary, Alberta, Canada. andrew.kirkpatrick@calgaryhealthregion.ca
Acta Clinica Belgica
|May 2, 2007
Summary
Secondary Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (SACS) can occur in critically ill patients due to swelling, even after prior treatment. Recurrent cases (RACS) may develop with further shock, highlighting the need for intra-abdominal pressure monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Surgical Physiology
Background:
- Secondary Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (SACS) arises from conditions outside the abdomino-pelvic region.
- Increased awareness of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is leading to more SACS descriptions.
- Recurrent Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (RACS) can occur despite previous treatments for primary or SACS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical background, definitions, pathophysiology, and treatment of SACS and RACS.
- To consolidate current understanding and identify knowledge gaps in SACS and RACS management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on SACS and RACS.
- Medline and Pubmed database searches using specific keywords.
- Hand-searching bibliographies of relevant articles.
Main Results:
- Limited specific research exists on SACS and RACS outside of trauma and thermal injury.
- Epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and prevention strategies are largely unknown and based on opinion.
- Small studies suggest specific resuscitation practices may help prevent these conditions.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (ACS) can affect any critically ill patient with swelling, irrespective of the initial pathology.
- ACS can recur in patients experiencing recurrent shock and swelling.
- Routine intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) monitoring is recommended for critically ill patients, especially those in shock requiring resuscitation.
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