Figure 3.

Integrated theory of abdominal pressure and morphology in relation to prone positioning and prone ventilation. (a) Normal intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) with no abdominal volume and compliance proned. (b) Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) with increased abdominal volume and decreased abdominal compliance. (c) IAH with increased abdominal volume but normal or increased abdominal compliance results in a splashed out abdomen. (d) Prone positioning on thoracopelvic supports with normal IAP and normal abdominal volume. (e) Prone positioning on thoracopelvic supports with IAH and decreased abdominal compliance so that lung bases are not decompressed. (f) Prone positioning on thoracopelvic supports with IAH but normal or increased abdominal compliance so that lung bases are gravitationally decompressed.