Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Interest in intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome has intensified in recent years as the recognition of this condition has increased, thereby providing a potential therapeutic target to improve outcomes for critically ill patients [22]. According to a recent systematic review, the incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome varies between 0.5% and 36.4% of trauma patients, mortality is nearly universal if untreated, and for treated patients, overall survival is improved across all study cohorts, though survival rates range widely, from 25% to 75%.