Abdominal compartment syndrome related to noninvasive ventilation

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on intraabdominal pressure. Design and setting: Single case report from a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients and methods: A 65-year-old man who experienced a sudden respiratory and cardiovascular collapse during NIPPV. This was caused by gastric overdistension due to aerophagia followed by raised intra-abdominal pressure leading to intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome. Results: The respiratory and cardiovascular problems resolved immediately after the introduction of a nasogastric tube. This resulted in normalization of IAP. Conclusions: This is the first case reported of an abdominal compartment syndrome related to NIPPV. Clinicians should be aware of this possible complication while using NIPPV.