09/03/2011

Compartment syndrome is defined as an increase in pressure on any closed cavity and causes serious damage. In the case of the abdomen, causes respiratory distress and renal hemodynamics in the patient. The syndrome occurs when intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) increases above 15 mmHg. The elevation of IAP is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, 58.8% of those affected, of which 8.2% may develop compartment syndrome. "For this reason, it is important that these patients carry out an early identification of the IAP with intraabdominal monitoring, which allows a specific diagnosis and stablish a management to reduce associated morbidity and mortality",said Dr. Jordi Rello, head of ICU service at Vall d'hebron University Hospital and responsible for severe respiratory infections and sepsis group at Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR).This and other findings were presented at the conference on 'Intra-abdominal pressure in critically ill patients: beyond compartment syndrome', which took place at Vall d'hebron University Hospital and Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid in collaboration with the company Convatec.