294 Copyright © 2007 Sage Publications Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Is Common in Medical Intensive Care Unit Patients Receiving Large-Volume Resuscitation

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal com-partment syndrome (ACS) have been well described in sur-gical patients. Large-volume resuscitation is thought to be a risk factor for IAH/ACS in this group. However, little is known of the incidence of IAH/ACS in critically ill medical patients. The authors aim to ascertain the incidence of ACS in critically ill medical patients receiving large-volume resuscitation. Over an 8-month study period, the authors performed a prospective cohort study of medical intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a minimum net positive fluid balance of 5 L within the preceding 24 hours. The primary outcome of interest is the development of ACS, defined as an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) ≥20 mm Hg associated with new organ dysfunction. IAP was measured by trans-ducing bladder pressure and was recorded along with flui