Which of the following are common causes of intra-abdominal hypertension?

• A. Increased intra-luminal contents
• B. Increased abdominal contents
• C. Capillary leak due to fluid resuscitation
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Intra-abdominal hypertension happens when the abdominal cavity, a space with limited ability to expand, becomes crowded with added contents. Increasing intraluminal contents—gas, stool, or bleeding within the gut—directly raises the volume inside the abdomen and elevates pressure. Increasing abdominal contents, such as edema of abdominal organs, ascites, or other mass effects, adds more volume inside the peritoneal space. Capillary leak from fluid resuscitation leads to widespread edema and third-spacing of fluid into the abdominal region, further increasing the contained volume. All of these mechanisms raise the pressure inside a fixed compartment, and that’s why this is a common set of causes.