Abdominal compartment syndrome in vascular surgery - A review

Postoperative Development of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome among Patients Undergoing Endovascular Aortic Repair for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

BACKGROUND

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has a reported incidence of 9%-14% among trauma patients. However, in patients with similar hemodynamic changes, the incidence of ACS remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the incidence of ACS among patients undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) and to identify associated risk factors.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed for consecutive patients who underwent EVAR for rAAA from March 2010 to November 2016 at our institution. The development of ACS was diagnosed based on a variety of factors, including bladder pressure, laboratory abnormalities, hemodynamic monitoring, and clinical evaluation. Previously validated risk factors for ACS development in trauma and EVAR patients (preoperative hypotension, aggressive fluid resuscitation, postoperative anemia, use of an aorto-uniiliac graft, and placement of an aortic occlusive balloon) were analyzed. Association between patient characteristics and ACS development was analyzed using the Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

During the study period, 25 patients had image-confirmed rAAA and underwent emergent EVAR. Mortality rate was 28% (n = 7), and ACS incidence was 12% (n = 3). Of the analyzed risk factors, hypotension on arrival (P = 0.037), transfusion of 3 or more units of packed red blood cells (P = 0.037), and postoperative anemia (P = 0.02) were all significantly associated with postoperative ACS development. In addition, having greater than 3 of the studied risk factors was associated with increased odds of developing ACS (P = 0.015), and having greater than 4 of the studied risk factors showed the strongest association with ACS development (P = 0.0017).

CONCLUSIONS

Overresuscitation should be avoided in patients with rAAA. In addition, patients who present with multiple risk factors for ACS should be monitored very closely with serial bladder pressures and may require decompression laparotomy immediately after EVAR.

Rhubarb vs. glycerin enema for treatment of critically ill patients with intra-abdominal hypertension

Rhubarb has been used as an evacuant for thousands of years. However, recent research has indicated that rhubarb inhibits inflammation and protects organ function. In the current study, the use of rhubarb was investigated in patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH). Specifically, its dual role in attenuating lung and bowel injury by catharsis and inhibiting inflammation was evaluated. Patients in the glycerin group (n=56) received 110 ml of glycerin enema by coloclysis once daily for 7 to 9 days. Patients in the rhubarb group (n=56) were treated with a mixture of 0.3 g/kg body weight rhubarb powder in 100 ml warm water. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), intra-abdominal pressure, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were recorded. The duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), respiratory parameters, first day of enteral nutrition (EN), intensive care unit (ICU) hospital stay and 30-day mortality were also recorded. The APACHE II scores were significantly lower in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group from day 3 to 9 (P<0.05 at day 3 and 4; P<0.01 at day 5, 7 and 9). The SOFA scores were significantly lower in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group from day 5 to 9 (P<0.05). PCT levels were significantly lower from day 4 to 9 (P<0.05) and the CRP level was significantly lower from day 3 to 9 (P<0.05) in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group. The TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group from day 3 to 9 (P<0.05 at day 3 and 4, P<0.01 at day 5, 7 and 9). The positive end-expiratory pressure and peak inspiratory pressure were significantly lower in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group at day 3, 5 and 7 (P<0.05 at day 3 and 5, P<0.01 at day 7), while the oxygenation index (P<0.05) and alveolar-arterial partial pressure of oxygen (P<0.05 at day 3 and 5, P<0.01 at day 7) were significantly improved. Significantly shorter durations of MV and ICU hospital stay, and earlier EN, were observed in the rhubarb group compared with the glycerin group (all P<0.05). Rhubarb treatment was indicated to be beneficial in IAH, by inhibiting inflammation and restoring intestinal function.

Liver injury in malignant ascites-induced abdominal compartment syndrome

Liver injury in malignant ascites-induced abdominal compartment syndrome (MAACS) has received little attention. In recent years, due to the gradual clarification of pathogenesis and pathological physiology of abdominal interval syndrome, liver injury in MAACS has become a hot research topic. In this paper, we will review the pathophysiological process, pathological changes, and treatment of liver injury in MAACS.

How to identify patients at risk of abdominal compartment syndrome after surgical repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms in the operating room: A pilot study

Objectives Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is poorly identified in surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and an early management is crucial. The aim of this study was to validate how many risk factors were needed to predict ACS. Secondary objectives were to assess its prevalence and the 30-day mortality. Methods All patients operated for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm during 5 years were included. An independent committee performed a retrospective diagnosis of ACS. Eight criteria were selected from the literature, and corresponded to pre- and intraoperative period: anemia (hemoglobin lower than 10 g/dL), prolonged shock (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg more than 18 min), preoperative cardiac arrest, obesity (body mass index > 30), massive fluid resuscitation (≥3500 mL per hour for at least 1 h) and transfusions (>10 units packed blood red cell since the beginning of the treatment), severe hypothermia (≤33℃), acidosis (pH < 7.2). Sensitivity and specificity were assessed for each number of criteria. Results Eight patients were ACS+ and 28 ACS-, with three criteria for ACS+ and 1.5 for ACS- ( p = 0.002). Three criteria among the eight selected criteria have the best cutoff for sensitivity and specificity (75% and 82%) with a positive predictive value of 54% and a negative predictive value of 92%. The prevalence of ACS was 17%. The 30-day mortality in ACS+ tended to be higher than in ACS- ( p = 0.108). Conclusion The present results suggest that patients with an ACS seemed to have higher mortality and the threshold of three factors among eight specific factors is enough to predict this.

Effect of intra-abdominal volume increment on kidneys in minipigs with intra-abdominal hypertension after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effect of intra-abdominal volume increment (IAVI) on intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in the kidneys.

METHODS

Eight minipigs were successfully established as IAH models and were randomly divided into two groups: the IAVI group and the sham-operated group. The intravesicular pressure, inferior vena cava pressure and urine volume were measured before shock, 2 h after IAH, and 22 h after surgery, respectively. The following indices were measured: serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, renal cortical thickness, ratio of abdominal anteroposterior diameter/transverse diameter, renal thickness, diameter of the renal sinus and the wet/dry ratio of renal tissues.

RESULTS

The intravesicular pressure (IVP) of the 8 minipig IAH models was calculated to be 21.16 ± 4.63 mmHg. There was a significant increase in the abdominal anteroposterior diameter/transverse diameter ratio. The minipigs in the IAVI group survived during the observational period, whereas 2 minipigs died at 18 h and 20 h in the sham-operated group. Twenty-two hours after surgery, the animals in the IAVI group displayed increased urinary volume (UV) and decreased Cr and Ur and remarkable decreases of VP and IVCP. After IAH, the renal cortical thickness and the renal thickness increased significantly. The renal wet/dry ratio in the sham-operated group was higher than that in the IAVI group.

CONCLUSION

IAVI helps to control renal dysfunction after IAH, which may be related to lowering the intra-abdominal pressure, thus alleviating renal edema and blood stasis.

Evaluation of the relationship between pelvic fracture and abdominal compartment syndrome in traumatic patients

INTRODUCTION

An increase in abdominal pressure can lead to so-called intra-abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Multiple factors such as an increase in retroperitoneal volume due to pancreatitis, bleeding and edema as a result of pelvic fracture can lead to compartment syndrome. Prevention is better than cure in compartment syndrome. By measuring the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) through the bladder, a quick and accurate assessment of abdominal pressure is achieved. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between pelvic fracture and ACS in traumatic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research was a descriptive-analytical study conducted on 100 patients referring to the Shiraz Nemazee Hospital in 2010. IAP was monitored every 4 h in patients suspected to be at high risk for ACS, e.g., those undergoing severe abdominal trauma and pelvic fracture. The IAP was measured via the urinary bladder using the procedure described by Kron et al. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS software.

RESULTS

The findings showed that ACS occurred in 28 of 100 patients. With regard to the associated injuries with abdominal trauma, 19% of all patients and 46/42% of the patients with ACS had pelvic fracture. Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between pelvic fracture and incidence rate of ACS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the collected data, pelvic fracture due to a trauma can be one of the important causes of an increase in IAP and ACS. In this lethal condition, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, serial measurement of IAP through the bladder in high-risk patients (those with pelvic fracture by trauma) is recommended to the nurses to diagnose this condition and to decrease the incidence of mortality.

Intra-peritoneal microdialysis and intra-abdominal pressure after endovascular repair of ruptured aortic aneurysms

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to evaluate intra-peritoneal (ip) microdialysis after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) in patients developing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), requiring abdominal decompression.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 16 patients with rAAA treated with an emergency EVAR were followed up hourly for intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), urine production and ip lactate, pyruvate, glycerol and glucose by microdialysis, analysed only at the end of the study. Abdominal decompression was performed on clinical criteria, and decompressed (D) and non-decompressed (ND) patients were compared.

RESULTS

The ip lactate/pyruvate (l/p) ratio was higher in the D group than in the ND group during the first five postoperative hours (mean 20 vs. 12), p = 0.005 and at 1 h prior to decompression compared to the fifth hour in the ND group (24 vs. 13), p = 0.016. Glycerol levels were higher in the D group during the first postoperative hours (mean 274.6 vs. 121.7 μM), p = 0.022. The IAP was higher only at 1 h prior to decompression in the D group compared to the ND group at the fifth hour (mean 19 vs. 14 mmHg).

CONCLUSIONS

Ip l/p ratio and glycerol levels are elevated immediately postoperatively in patients developing IAH leading to organ failure and subsequent abdominal decompression.

Identifying the association among risk factors and mortality in trauma patients with intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome

Intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) have become key players in increasing mortality among critically ill trauma patients. Many risk factors place the trauma patient at risk for developing ACS. Very few studies exist to establish a predictive relationship between any one risk factor and mortality among these patients. A retrospective, nonexperimental, descriptive project considering preidentified risk factors and their direct association with mortality in patients exhibiting intra-abdominal hypertension and ACS was carried out in an urban level 1 trauma center. Polytransfusion was strongly predicted among those with ACS for mortality (P < .001). Mortality was strongly associated with a reported history of diabetes (P < .05). The total amount of blood products showed a perfect correlation with death as well (r = 1.0, P < .001).