ABSTRACT
Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) has been associated with renal impairment for over 150 years. It is only recently however, that a clinically recognised relationship has been found. An increasing number of large clinical studies have identified that IAH (>15 mm Hg) is independently associated with renal impairment and increased mortality. The evidence comes from both animal and human experiments. It is related to a multi-factorial effect, pre dominately related to renal perfusion, coupled with reduced abdominal perfusion pressure, reduced cardiac output and increased systemic vascular resistance. Further to this there is an alteration in humoral and neurogenic factors aggravating renal function. The risk of renal impairment with IAH is further exacerbated by hypovolaemia and other factors such as sepsis.
