Abdominal compartment syndrome: clinical manifestations and predictive factors

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Abstract
Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is the end result of sustained, uncorrected intraabdominal hypertension. In clinical and laboratory settings, ACS has been shown to adversely affect all vital organ systems. Although early descriptions emanated from the trauma literature, ACS is now encountered in all intensive care unit populations. In this review, we examine the literature and identify factors that may predict the onset of ACS. The pathogenesis of ACS remains unclear, and few studies have sought to identify predictive clinical variables. Peak airway pressure and net 24-hour fluid gradient are the only variables that have been identified in the available literature as predictive of ACS development in controlled studies. The earlier recognition of predictive variables and identification of patients at higher risk will hopefully lead to recognition and avoidance of the sequelae and increased mortality rate associated with ACS.