Recognition and management of abdominal compartment syndrome among German anesthetists and surgeons: a national survey.

Torsten Kaussen,Alexander Schachtrupp,Pramod Kadaba Srinivasan,Gerd Steinau,Jens Otto,Jörg Höer

doi:10.1186/2110-5820-2-s1-s7

Abstract

BackgroundAbdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a life threatening condition that may affect any critically ill patient. Little is known about the recognition and management of ACS in Germany.MethodsA questionnaire was mailed to departments of surgery and anesthesia from German hospitals with more than 450 beds.ResultsReplies (113) were received from 222 eligible hospitals (51%). Most respondents (95%) indicated that ACS plays a role in their clinical practice. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) is not measured at all by 26%, while it is routinely done by 30%. IAP is mostly (94%) assessed via the intra-vesical route. Of the respondents, 41% only measure IAP in patients expected to develop ACS; 64% states that a simpler, more standardized application of IAP measurement would lead to increased use in daily clinical practice.ConclusionsGerman anesthesiologists and surgeons are familiar with ACS. However, approximately one fourth never measures IAP, and there is considerable uncertainty regarding which patients are at risk as well as how often IAP should be measured in them.

Highlights

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as a persistent intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of more than 20 mmHg accompanied by new organ dysfunction or failure
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined by a sustained or repeated pathological elevation of IAP to more than 12 mmHg and is considered a precursor of ACS [1]. Both IAH and ACS may occur in any patient population requiring intensive care [7,8]
The majority (65%) stated ACS rarely plays a role in their clinical practice; 24% are concerned regularly; 6% often

Summary

Introduction

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as a persistent intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of more than 20 mmHg accompanied by new organ dysfunction or failure. Left untreated, this condition has a high mortality rate [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined by a sustained or repeated pathological elevation of IAP to more than 12 mmHg and is considered a precursor of ACS [1]. Both IAH and ACS may occur in any patient population requiring intensive care [7,8]. Little is known about the recognition and management of ACS in Germany

Methods

Results

Conclusion