The Use of Point-of-care Ultrasound to Guide Clinical Management in Intra-abdominal Hypertension

Introduction: The Abdominal Compartment Society (WSACS) developed a medical management algorithm with a stepwise approach to keep intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) ≤ 15 mm Hg. The role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) as a bedside modality in the critical care patients is not well studied in relation to the intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) management algorithm.

Aim: To test the role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the medical management of patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).

Method: We conducted a prospective observational study. Those who met the inclusion criteria were assigned to undergo POCUS and small bowel ultrasound as adjuvant tools in their IAH management.

Results: A total of 22 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 65 ± 22.6 years, 61% were men, and the most frequent admission diagnoses were hepatic encephalopathy and massive ascites (five cases). Ultrasound and abdominal X-rays were comparable in confirming correct NGT position, but the ultrasound was superior in determining the gastric content (fluid vs. solid) and diagnoses of gastric paresis in two cases. Small bowel obstruction was present in four patients and confirmed with abdominal CT; two of the patients underwent surgical intervention for mesenteric vessel occlusion and transmesenteric internal hernia. Enema treatment was found to empty the bowel incompletely 72%, 56%, and 42% of the time on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Four patients with cirrhosis admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy (out of a total of 8) were found to have large amounts of ascites, and US-guided paracentesis was performed.

Conclusion: POCUS can be used in the nonoperative management of IAH. It is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with IAH.