[Intraabdominal hypertension at intensive care units]

Intraabdominal hypertension is frequently observed both in surgical and non-surgical patients hospitalised at intensive care units. This clinical syndrome of multifactorial etiology is characterised by increased intraabdominal tension with subsequent development of organ dysfunctions. It is reflected in impaired cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, splanchnic and neurological functions which improve after the abdominal decompression. Patients with intraabdominal hypertension can be relatively easily identified by measuring tension in the bladder the primary purpose of which is early detection of clinically less severe stages and also the detection of the most sever forms of abdominal compartment syndrome. The objective of subsequent surgical or conservative treatment is to prevent organ dysfunction and subsequent multi-organ failure.