Pathophysiology of abdominal compartment syndrome.

For over a century, raised intra-abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) has been known. The physiology and clinical results of this syndrome produce significant morbidity and quite high mortality rates. Increased intra-abdominal pressure causes progressive hypoperfusion and ischemia of the intestines as well as other peritoneal and retroperitoneal structures, including the pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, splanchnic, and central nervous systems.