INTRA-ABDOMINAL HYPERTENSION: EVOLUTION AND CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Starting with simple empirical observations and continuing with studies on animals and humans, the medical knowledge of IAH/ACS has been gradually enriched. The subtlety of the signs and symptoms caused by the increase in IAP requires the implementation of a simple and effective and also adaptable method of measuring this parameter as well as careful monitoring of the patients at risk. Moreover, technological advances are oriented to measuring IAP and managing IAH by less invasive and less expensive methods, prophylaxis of this syndrome and prevention of its complications being the ones that prevail. For the purpose of exposing the most relevant historical aspects as well as the most recent developments, we have chosen studies between 1947 and 2017.This review aims at presenting some of the key moments in the evolution of understanding of the consequences of increased IAP, to defining current diagnostic and treatment protocols.