Objectives: To investigate the importance of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS), based on the December 2004 consensus definition, on outcome after surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA).
Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent open surgery for rAAA after the introduction of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) measurements among patients at risk of IAH. Case-records were reviewed retrospectively. Seventeen patients underwent IAP-monitoring.
Results: Of eight patients with IAP <21 mmHg none developed colonic ischaemia or ACS. Of four patients with IAP 21-25 mmHg (IAH grade III), two underwent colonic resection. One patient treated with open abdomen died from cardiac arrhythmia. Five patients had IAP >25 mmHg (IAH grade IV). All developed ACS. Two were not decompressed and both developed pulmonary complications, one died. Two underwent colonic resection and one was treated with open abdomen, all three survived. Of 10 patients not monitored for IAP, one died of cardiac complications, but no patient developed signs of colonic ischaemia or ACS. Mortality at 30 days and 1 year was 3/27 (11%).
Conclusion: IAH and ACS were common among patients undergoing surgery for rAAA. The ACS consensus definition seems appropriate in this clinical context. Monitoring IAP, and timely decompression of patients with IAH might improve outcome after surgery for rAAA.