UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Category: Critical Care

Keywords: compartment syndrome, abdomen, critically ill (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/24/2025 by Robert Flint, MD (Updated: 9/28/2025)
Click here to contact Robert Flint, MD

This review article reminds us that abdominal hypertension and compartment syndrome need to remain on our differential diagnosis for critically ill and injured patients.  Pressure is measured with an intra-bladder catheter. Normal pressure is 5-7 mm HG. Sustained over 12 mm Hg is hypertension and sustained over 20 mm Hg is compartment syndrome. 

References

Arcieri, Talia R. MD; Meizoso, Jonathan P. MD, MSPH, FACS. Intraabdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome: What you need to know. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 99(4):p 504-513, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004603