Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined as an IAP greater than what value?

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is defined as an intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) greater than 12 mm Hg. This threshold is clinically significant as elevated pressure within the abdominal cavity can lead to impaired organ function, decreased cardiac output, and respiratory complications. Monitoring IAP is crucial, especially in critically ill patients, because sustained elevated pressures can indicate conditions like abdominal compartment syndrome, which may require timely intervention to prevent serious morbidity or mortality.

The choice of 12 mm Hg as the defining cutoff for IAH is well established in clinical guidelines, which aim to alert healthcare providers to the early signs of potentially dangerous increases in intra-abdominal pressure that can have systemic consequences.