Abdominal Compartment Syndrome among Medical Patients

2.1 Intra-abdominal pressure

The abdomen is a closed cavity with a steady state pressure within it. This pressure is called Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Intra-abdominal pressure depends on the abdominal wall compliance and volume of the organs within the abdominal cavity. Thus, it is affected by the conditions that decreases the compliance of the wall (burn eschars or third spacing) or by additional volume of organs (such as fecal matter, presence of ascites, or space-occupying lesions such as tumors) [1].

Normal IAP varies between 5–7 mmHg [2]. Body Mass Index positively affects IAP with pressure being high in pregnant and morbidly obese individuals. Similarly, recent abdominal surgery can also affect the IAP.

2.2 Abdominal perfusion pressure (APP)

Abdominal perfusion pressure (APP) is measured by subtraction of intra-abdominal pressure from the mean arterial pressure (MAP) [3].

With the increase in IAP, APP decreases, and thereby, causing decreased perfusion to the abdominal viscera. APP is a better maker than arterial pH, base deficit, arterial lactate and hourly urine output, as an endpoint for resuscitation.

2.3 Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH)

The World Society of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WSACS) established the definition of IAH and ACS in 2004 [4].Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined as intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) greater than or equal to 12 mmHg.

IAH is further graded based on the IAP as shown in Table 1.

IAH can also be divided as follows based on duration:

• Hyperacute IAH refers to the transient elevation of the intra-abdominal pressure lasting for seconds such as while laughing, sneezing, straining, coughing.

• Acute IAH refers to the sustained elevation of IAP over hours such as in intra-abdominal trauma or hemorrhage and has the potential to progress to ACS.

• Subacute IAH refers to the elevation of IAP over days and is mostly seen in the MICU patients receiving large volume resuscitation and also has potential to progress to ACS.

• Chronic IAH refers to the elevation of IAP over months to years such as in patients with increased abdominal wall compliance (pregnant or morbidly obese). These patients are at high risk for development of ACS if they have superimposed acute or subacute IAH [6].

2.4 Filtration gradient (FG)

Oliguria is most often the first sign of IAH. FG is measured as glomerular filtration pressure (GFP) – PTP (proximal tubular pressure) and is a measure of pressure across the glomerulus.

Since,

Therefore,

Thus,

This equation shows that changes in IAP have a higher effect on renal function and urine production than changes in MAP [7].

2.5 Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS)

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as sustained IAP above 20 mmHg with evidence of end-organ dysfunction. ACS is further classified into primary, secondary, and recurrent based on the etiology and duration of end-organ failure.

Primary: ACS occurring due to etiology primarily within the abdominopelvic cavity is termed as primary; for example, abdominal trauma, pancreatitis, abdominal surgery, hemoperitoneum, liver transplantation. It frequently requires early surgical or interventional radiology intervention [8].

Secondary: ACS occurring due to extra-abdominal etiology; example: fluid resuscitation, sepsis, burns.

Recurrent: Development of ACS again after the early resolution of the previous either primary or secondary ACS. It can occur despite the presence of an open abdomen or after abdominal closure following the resolution of the first episode. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality [9].

5.1 Cardiovascular

Increase in IAP causes cephalad movement of the diaphragm leading to increased intrathoracic pressure. This phenomenon results in the following:

Decrease venous return: Increase in IAP, increases the pressure in the IVC and with the cephalad motion of the diaphragm, the thoracic inlet of the IVC constricts; thus, decreasing the venous return and the preload, thereby, affecting a component of cardiac output. Decreased venous return increases the hydrostatic pressure in lower extremities resulting in peripheral edema and increased risk for development of deep vein thrombosis [14].

Increase SVR: Increase in IAP causes increased pressure in systemic and aortic vasculature and also, increase pulmonary vascular resistance secondary to increased intrathoracic pressure. These factors thus increase SVR and thereby, decreasing the cardiac output [15].

Impaired cardiac function: Elevation of the diaphragm and increased intrathoracic pressure caused by IAH also causes cardiac compression, thus, decreasing ventricular compliance and contractility.

In conclusion, the MAP is affected by both SVR and Cardiac output. In absence of severe IAH, SVR increases, and cardiac output decreases (due to decreased preload). Thus, MAP remains stable despite a decrease in both preload and cardiac output. However, in patients with decreased intravascular volume or with poor cardiac function, even a mild to moderate increase in IAP can result in decreasing MAP. Therefore, preload augmentation with volume resuscitation appears to be beneficial to compensate for the increasing systemic vascular resistance. In ventilated patients, high PEEP or auto-PEEP can further decrease the venous return and thus, are also at risk of decompensation at the lower elevation of IAP.

5.2 Pulmonary

An increase in the IAP compresses the lung parenchyma by direct transmission of IAP and cephalad deviation of the diaphragm. Compression of lung parenchyma thus results in atelectasis, which results in increasing shunting of the blood and causes ventilation-perfusion mismatch. The atelectatic lung is also at higher risk for infection. In mechanically ventilated patients, increased IAP causes the peak inspiratory pressure and mean airway pressure to increase, thus causing the alveolar barotrauma. These patients also have decreased chest wall compliance and spontaneous tidal volume, causing hypoxemia and hypercarbia, which are the clinical features of ACS [16].

5.3 Renal

IAH significantly decreases the renal function and thus urine output by significantly affecting the renal blood flow. In comparison with superior mesenteric and celiac blood flow, studies have shown preferential decrease in renal blood flow with elevated IAP [17]. IAH results in renal arterial constriction and an increase in renal venous resistance, thus causing decrease in the venous drainage from the kidney. Secondarily, a decrease in cardiac output also results in activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, thus causing renal arterial vasoconstriction. As mentioned above an increase in IAP affects the filtration gradient and thus, resulting in a net decrease in urine output. A study has shown development of oliguria at IAP of approximately 15 mmHg, whereas elevation of IAP to 30 mmHg results in anuria [18].

5.4 Gastrointestinal system

The gut is most sensitive to increased IAP. It affects the gut in the following ways:

Decreasing mesenteric blood flow: Mesenteric blood flow is decreased at IAP as low as 10 mmHg. A study showed 43% decrease in the celiac artery blood flow and 69% decrease in superior mesenteric artery blood flow when IAP is elevated to 40 mmHg. This is accentuated by shock and hypotension [17].

Compressing mesenteric veins: IAH compresses mesenteric veins in the intestinal wall causing impaired venous flow from the intestine and thus, causing intestinal edema. This edema in turn causes an elevation in the IAP, thus initiating a vicious cycle. This results in worsened hypoperfusion leading to elevation of lactic acid and intestinal ischemia.

Loss of intestinal mucosa: Gut hypoperfusion results in the loss of protective intestinal mucosal barrier, leading to gut bacterial translocation and results, in sepsis with multi-organ failure [19].

5.5 Hepatic

Elevation in IAP causes decreased hepatic arterial flow and increases the portal venous and hepatic venous resistance, thus, resulting in decreased microcirculatory blood flow in the liver. This results in decreased mitochondrial function and production of ATPs. Overall, the liver’s capacity to clear lactic acid decreases. This has been seen at IAP elevation to as low as 10 mmHg in presence of normal cardiac output and MAP [20].

5.6 Central nervous system

Elevation in IAP causes increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) by decreasing the lumbar venous plexus blood flow and decreasing the cerebral venous outflow. Overall increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide results in cerebral venous constriction resulting in increased ICP This, in turn, decreases the cerebral perfusion pressure and function [21].

5.7 Abdominal wall

Increased IAP can cause a decrease in blood flow to the abdominal wall, leading to wall ischemia and edema. Rectus sheath blood flow decreases in proportion to increase in the intra-abdominal pressure. It decreases by approximately 58% from baseline with IAP as low as 10 mmHg. This further reduces the abdominal wall compliance and exacerbates the IAH [22].

6.1 Signs of abdominal compartment syndrome

Intraabdominal hypertension through its delirious effect on multi-organ system including kidney, lungs and cardiovascular system results in following clinical entities as mentioned in Table 3 [23]. These clinical signs are seen commonly in critically ill patients having multiple comorbidities. Thus, it is very important to measure IAP at early stage and have high suspicion for ACS.

6.2 Imaging findings

These are not diagnostic for ACS, however, can be used as signs for early identification for developing abdominal compartment syndrome. Chest X-ray significant for elevated hemidiaphragm, pulmonary atelectasis and decreased lung volumes. CT scan findings are consistent with abdominal distention, tense infiltration of retroperitoneum out of proportion to the retroperitoneal disease, extrinsic compression of IVC or renal displacement, bowel wall thickening [24].

7.1 Intravesical pressure

Measurement of intravesical pressure has evolved over the years to decrease complications including the need for repeat measurements, urinary tract infection, and to decrease the incidence of needlestick injuries. The most common technique used is as follows:

• A three-way stopcock is used to decrease the number of times an aspiration port is accessed.

• A saline infusion set with 1000 ml normal saline bag is inserted in the first stopcock.

• A 50 ml syringe is attached to the 2nd stopcock.

• The third stopcock is attached to the pressure transducer and it is zeroed at a point where the mid-axillary line crosses the iliac crest.

• The urine drainage port of the foley is clamped.

• Instill 25 ml normal saline at room temperature into the bladder. Given that this normal saline can also result in detrusor muscle contraction and falsely increased the measured IAP, it is advisable to wait 30–60 seconds after saline administration to measure the pressure. Also, the patient should be in the complete supine position with a measurement done at end-expiration to ensure no abdominal muscle contraction is present. The measurement is done after the stopcocks to the pressure transducer is opened.

Although, intravesical pressure measurement is the gold standard to measure the intra-abdominal pressure, it has many technical difficulties. Though the evolution of technique has decreased the risk of needlestick injuries, this technique still is cumbersome, intermittent and carries potential risk of urinary tract infection. Most of the ventilated patients in MICU have head of bed elevated to prevent aspiration risk and studies have shown that the intravesical pressure increases significantly even with mild head of bed elevation [29].

7.2 Intra-gastric pressure

This method involves measurement of the pressure within the stomach using the nasogastric tube. It can be used when the patient does not have a foley catheter or intravesical pressure measurement is not possible due to bladder trauma, pelvic hematoma, peritoneal adhesions or neurogenic bladder. The use of tonometer to measure the intragastric pressure has been validated and showed good correlation with the IAP [30]. However, the IAP measured via nasogastric tube is affected by the migrating motor complex and the effects of enteral tube feeding on the IAP measurement are still unknown. The intra-gastric pressure measurement can also be used to monitor continuous intra-abdominal pressure. The most advanced method involves the air-pouch system where the tip of the nasogastric tube contains a pressure transducer which can automatically calibrate every hour and provides continuous intra-abdominal pressure measurement, however, this method is not validated in humans yet.

7.3 Inferior vena cava pressure

IVC catheter placed via femoral cannulation can be connected to the pressure transducer to provide IVC pressure measurement. A study validating the indirect methods of IAP measurement in rabbits showed good correlation of IVC and transvesical pressure with direct intraperitoneal pressure measurements. However, IVC catheter are associated with increased risk of infection and sepsis. A multicenter observational study showed that femoral vein pressure has good correlation with the IAP when intra-abdominal pressure is >20 mmHg and can be used as a surrogate to bladder pressure, thus, allowing continuous measurement of IAP [31].

7.4 Rectal and uterine pressure

Rectal and transvaginal pressure measurement is less practical given the pressure can be affected by the residual fecal mass or gynecological bleeding. Both these techniques have not been validated in the ICU setting [32].

8.1 Non-surgical management

Non-surgical measures include decreasing the IAP by decreasing the content within the visceral organs that might be causing the IAH. Ileus is a common post-abdominal surgical complication and is also common amongst patients receiving large volume resuscitation, in patients with peritonitis, electrolyte imbalance and those receiving narcotic medications. These factors are independently associated to increase risk for IAH/ACS. Thus, treating ileus by nasogastric suction and rectal suction, use of prokinetic agents, colonoscopic decompression, and frequent enemas helps to decrease IAP by decreasing the volume of intra-luminal contents.

In patients where extra-luminal factors are leading to elevated IAH, alleviating the cause is most advisable to improve the abdominal wall compliance. If any space-occupying lesion is contributing to the IAH, thorough investigation including Ultrasound and CT scan should be done to identify the nature of space occupying lesion (SOL) and if indicated, either percutaneous drainage or surgical removal of the SOL can help with reducing the IAP. If ascites is contributing to the IAH, then therapeutic paracentesis can help. However, in patients with progressive IAH or not responding to therapeutic paracentesis, continuous percutaneous drainage guided by Ultrasound or CT scan should be considered. Studies have shown that continuous percutaneous drainage decreases the rate of open abdominal decompression in 81% of the patients treated. However, if percutaneous drain fails to drain at least 1 L of fluid and decrease the intra-abdominal pressure by at least 9 mmHg in first four hours, the likelihood for requirement of surgical decompression increases [33].

Abdominal compliance can also be improved by adequate sedation and analgesia, removal of constrictive dressing, and eschars. Supine positioning or reverse Trendelenburg position also helps alleviate the abdominal muscle contracture. Low evidence is available but neuromuscular blockade should be considered per WSACS guidelines [27].

Managing the volume status of the patient is equally important, as hypovolemia can further exacerbate the effects of IAH and the large volume resuscitation can also similarly be shown as a predictive factor for progression to ACS. Thus, it’s important to judge the volume status of the patient and maintain euvolemia. Hemodynamic monitoring is advisable for judicious administration of fluids. Recent study in burn patients receiving large volume resuscitation has shown that hypertonic saline or colloid solution effectively decreases the risk for developing IAH/ACS [34].

Despite adequate fluid resuscitation, some patients with IAH/ACS develop total body fluid overload secondary to capillary leakage and excessive third spacing with significant elevation in IAP [35]. Diuretics are generally contraindicated as these patients are intravascularly volume depleted. However, once these patients become hemodynamically stable with resolution of shock, diuretics along with colloid administration helps to the fluid from the third space. Continuous renal replacement therapy to remove excess fluid judiciously and increase abdominal wall compliance can also help decrease the IAP However, it’s important to ensure that intra-vascular volume is adequately maintained for appropriate organ perfusion and avoidance of multi-organ failure development secondary to inadequate perfusion.

8.2 Surgical management

When the non-surgical methods fail to consistently decrease the IAP, surgical abdominal decompression via laparotomy is the treatment of choice. Decompressive laparotomy results in a decrease in intra-abdominal volume and thus decreases the IAP. Delay in surgical depression in surgical and non-surgical patients is associated with increased mortality [36]. There is also an increased risk of ischemia–reperfusion syndrome especially in patients with significantly high IAP for a prolonged period. Abdominal laparotomy with negative peritoneal pressure therapy is preferred given that it improves visceral perfusion and also decreases bacterial translocation. In multiple studies, surgical decompression has been shown to decrease IAP and improve respiratory, cardiac, and renal function [37]. However, studies on the mortality related to ACS requiring decompressive laparotomy are inconclusive as there is a significant difference in when the decision to do decompression is made by the intensivist based on their specialty. Studies have shown that medical intensivists prefer diuresis and dialysis more and take double the time than surgical intensivists to decide on decompressive laparotomy. Surgical decompression, though a life-saving procedure, has significant morbidity and mortality associated with it. In a study, three out of four patients of severe acute pancreatitis who underwent surgical decompression died and two of them from uncontrollable retroperitoneal hemorrhage [38].

Decompressive laparotomy can result in excess loss of fluids from the exposed tissue resulting in exsanguination or can result in a large ventral hernia or fistula [39]. The open abdomen also increases risk for bacterial translocation and sepsis. Thus, steps should be taken to close the abdomen as soon as possible with most surgeons planning staged closure every 48 hours. Continued manometric measurement of IAP even after abdominal closure is necessary.