Intra-abdominal pressure and associated factors in patients admitted to critical care ‎units

Introduction: Despite the impact of increased abdominal hypertension on organ dysfunction and ‎increased mortality, data on the frequency and its related risk factors in critical care unit does not ‎seem enough. While studies have shown that patients’ intra-abdominal pressure measured at ‎admission to intensive care unit can serve as an independent prognostic factor for mortality and ‎assess impacts of IAH on organ function.‎ Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of increased abdominal hypertension and its ‎related factors in patients hospitalized in ICUs.‎ Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive –analytical study was conducted on ‎‏76‏‎ intensive care unit ‎patients in one o f the teaching hospitals in city of Rasht. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured ‎every ‎‏8‏‎ hours for a ‎‏24‏‎-hour period through a Foley catheter (Korn method). Instrument used ‎consisted of three parts: first part covered personal data (age, gender, Body Mass Index, disease ‎diagnosis), second part included continuous assessment of organ dysfunction scale (respiratory ‎condition, liver, kidney, hemodynamic, and level of conscious) and third part covered data related ‎to IAH and accompanying variables(mean arterial pressure, abdominal perfusion pressure, peak ‎airway pressure, maximum airway pressure, plateau pressure and positive end expiratory pressure) ‎and demographic data, type of diagnosis, SOFA score, central venous pressure, mean airway ‎pressure was recorded.‎  Result: Findings showed that the frequency of intra-abdominal hypertension was ‎‏18.42‏percent. ‎Also Step wise regression method showed that the mean arterial pressure of ‎‏1.02‏‎ times can increase ‎intra abdominal pressure. ‎ Conclusion: Intra-abdominal pressure as a factor affecting the performance of other organs in ‎patients in intensive care units is important and it's recommended that intra-abdominal pressure to be ‎measured routinely in critically ill patients and through this prevent abdominal compartment ‎syndrome and its complications.‎