Background:
Acute increases in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) have been shown to have detrimental effects on various organ systems. This experimental animal study was performed to determine the effects of various IAP levels on markers of pulmonary, hepatic, and renal function.
Materials and Methods:
Fifty rabbits, divided into five equal groups (by IAP pressure of 0,10, 20, 30, and 40 cm H2O), were anesthetized after baseline blood was drawn for arterial blood gases and serum creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, GGT and LDH levels. IAP was measured by bladder pressure, and after increasing the IAP to the desired level, blood was again taken at 1 and 2 hours.
Results:
Changes in serum values were not different from baseline at a pressure of 10 cm H2O, but findings reflecting systemic respiratory and metabolic acidosis, hypoxia, and increases in BUN and creatinine were seen in all animals with a pressure of 20 cm H2O or more. The highest levels of markers were seen in the 40 cm H2O animals after 2 hours.
Discussion:
Within a 2-hour period, elevated IAP produces deleterious effects on pulmonary, renal, and hepatic function in a graded fashion.
Keywords: Intra-abdominal pressure, systemic effects