The clinical importance of monitoring intra-abdominal pressure after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Aim: The aim of this paper was to review the literature on the clinical importance of monitoring intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair. Method: The literature was searched for abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) or intra-abdominal pressure and aortic aneurysm. Original articles were studied. Personal experiences were reported. Results: The Consensus Documents of the World Society on the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (wsacs.org), with their definitions and guidelines, constitute an important step forward for the possibilities to study this clinical entity. Few papers were published describing the problem specifically in the patient population operated on for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). The incidence was approximately 5% when the patients were not monitored with IAP, and above 10% when IAP was monitored. The incidence seems to be similar irrespective if open or endovascular repair is performed, though comparative prospective studies were not published. Patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) or ACS have higher mortality and more complications. If IAH is recognized early conservative treatment may be effective to prevent development of ACS. After ACS has developed, surgical decompression is usually required. A proposed algorithm on how to act on different levels of IAH is presented. Conclusions: IAH/ACS is an important complication after operation on patients with rAAA. Monitoring IAP may be associated with improved outcomes.