The acute abdomen in the critically ill patient

The critically ill patient with an acute abdomen represents a great challenge for the surgeon. The physiologic derangement that is associated with the critically ill state both fuels and is fueled by acute abdominal processes. Improvements in critical care and cardiopulmonary bypass technique have allowed for a group of patients to evolve that are susceptible to the complications of prolonged flow states. This article focuses on the abdominal consequences of support of the critically ill patient, as well as, the diagnostic and therapeutic options that are available to treat these patients.