The abdominal compartment syndrome

The abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) may be defined as adverse physiologic consequences that occur as a result of an acute increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Clinically, the organ systems most affected include the cardiovascular, renal, and pulmonary systems. Decreased cardiac output, increased peripheral resistance, oliguria, anuria, increased airway pressure, decreased compliance, and hypoxia may occur. If untreated, ACS leads to lethal organ failure. In contrast, decompression of the abdominal cavity immediately reverses the pathophysiologic changes listed. The most common causes of the syndrome are coagulopathy and postoperative hemorrhage.