The pathophysiological impact of intra-abdominal hypertension in pigs

Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome are common with clinically significant consequences. We investigated the pathophysiological effects of raised IAP as part of a more extensive exploratory animal study. The study design included both pneumoperitoneum and mechanical intestinal obstruction models.

Forty-nine female swine were divided into six groups: a control group (Cr; n = 5), three pneumoperitoneum groups with IAPs of 20mmHg (Pn20; n = 10), 30mmHg (Pn30; n = 10), 40mmHg (Pn40; n = 10), and two mechanical intestinal occlusion groups with IAPs of 20mmHg (MIO20; n = 9) and 30mmHg (MIO30; n = 5).

There were significant changes (p<0.05) noted in all organ systems, most notably systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p<0.001), cardiac index (CI) (p = 0.003), stroke volume index (SVI) (p<0.001), mean pulmonary airway pressure (MPP) (p<0.001), compliance (p<0.001), pO2 (p = 0.003), bicarbonate (p = 0.041), hemoglobin (p = 0.012), lipase (p = 0.041), total bilirubin (p = 0.041), gastric pH (p<0.001), calculated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) (p<0.001), and urine output (p<0.001). SVV increased progressively as the IAP increased with no obvious changes in intravascular volume status. There were no significant differences between the models regarding their impact on cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and gastrointestinal systems. However, significant differences were noted between the two models at 30mmHg, with MIO30 showing worse metabolic and hematological parameters, and Pn30 and Pn40 showing a more rapid rise in creatinine.

This study identified and quantified the impact of intra-abdominal hypertension at different pressures on several organ systems and highlighted the significance of even short-lived elevations. Two models of intra-abdominal pressure were used, with a mechanical obstruction model showing more rapid changes in metabolic and haematological changes. These may represent different underlying cellular and vascular pathophysiological processes, but this remains unclear.