Intra-abdominal hypertension most directly affects which organ system due to reduced perfusion?

Intra-abdominal hypertension most directly affects which organ system due to reduced perfusion?

• A. Kidneys
• B. Liver
• C. Heart
• D. Skin

Answer: (A)

When intra-abdominal pressure rises, it directly compresses the kidneys and their blood vessels. The perfusion pressure for the kidneys depends on the difference between arterial blood pressure and the pressure inside the abdomen. As intra-abdominal pressure increases, this gradient falls, reducing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration. The kidneys are very sensitive to changes in perfusion, so they show functional decline early—typically with oliguria and possible acute kidney injury. Other organs can be affected by sustained high pressure (the heart may have reduced venous return, the liver can have impaired hepatic venous outflow, and the skin isn’t directly deprived of perfusion in the same immediate way). But the effect on the kidneys is the most direct and pronounced due to the sharp drop in renal perfusion as intra-abdominal pressure climbs.

When intra-abdominal pressure rises, it directly compresses the kidneys and their blood vessels. The perfusion pressure for the kidneys depends on the difference between arterial blood pressure and the pressure inside the abdomen. As intra-abdominal pressure increases, this gradient falls, reducing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration. The kidneys are very sensitive to changes in perfusion, so they show functional decline early—typically with oliguria and possible acute kidney injury.

Other organs can be affected by sustained high pressure (the heart may have reduced venous return, the liver can have impaired hepatic venous outflow, and the skin isn’t directly deprived of perfusion in the same immediate way). But the effect on the kidneys is the most direct and pronounced due to the sharp drop in renal perfusion as intra-abdominal pressure climbs.