Intra-abdominal hypertension complicating pancreatitis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome in three patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Background: Severe acute pancreatitis is associated with sever multiorgan failure from 15 to 50%, depending on the series. In some of these patients, conventional methods of ventilation and respiratory support will fail, demanding the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Abdominal compartment syndrome is potentially harmful in this cohort of patients.