[Abdominal Emergencies in The View of an Intensivist - Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome].

In critically ill patients an intra-abdominal hypertension is a common phenomenon. An IAH is defined as an IAP persistent ≥ 12 mmHg, an abdominal compartment syndrome is defined as an IAP persistent ≥ 20 mmHg in combination with new organ failure. The bladder pressure serves as a surrogate parameter for the IAP. The bladder pressure should be measured in a standardized manner. The therapy of IAH should be individualized.