Regli A, Blaser AR, De Keulenaer B, et al. - Researchers conducted a multicentre study with the aim to assess if in patients receiving invasive ventilation, the combination of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH, intra-abdominal pressure ≥ 12 mmHg) and hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF, PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 mmHg) is an independent risk factor for 90- and 28-day mortality as well as ICU- and ventilation-free days. From a prospective cohort, they included mechanically ventilated patients who had blood gas analyses performed and intra-abdominal pressure measured as well as stratified the patients into subgroups defined by the absence (Group 1) or the presence of either IAH (Group 2) or HRF (Group 3) or both (Group 4). Mixed-effects regression analysis was performed. Increased incidence of intra-abdominal hypertension was noted in hypoxic respiratory failure. Intra-abdominal hypertension and hypoxic respiratory failure led to outcome impairment. Relative to intra-abdominal hypertension, hypoxic respiratory failure may occur earlier. Overall this sub-analysis revealed no independent correlation of the combination of IAH and HRF with 90-day mortality but it independently linked with increased odds of 28-day mortality, and reduced number of ICU- and ventilation-free days.