SBP
Abbreviation with 3 meanings
| Stands for | Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 3 |
| Categories | Medical, Military |
SBP has three meanings. The most common are Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (gastroenterology) and Systolic blood pressure (cardiology); it can also stand for Survivor Benefit Plan.
Meanings of SBP at a glance
| # | SBP stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis | Medical › Gastroenterology |
| 2 | Systolic blood pressure | Medical › Cardiology |
| 3 | Survivor Benefit Plan | Military › Veteran |
1. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
Medical · Gastroenterology Abbreviations
Infection of ascitic fluid in cirrhosis without a surgically treatable source, diagnosed by an ascitic neutrophil count of 250 cells/mm3 or more. Patients may have fever, abdominal pain or only worsening confusion; treatment is a third-generation cephalosporin plus IV albumin to protect the kidneys.
Example: Paracentesis: PMN 640/mm3, SBP confirmed; ceftriaxone 2 g daily and albumin 1.5 g/kg today.
In most other medical contexts SBP means systolic blood pressure, so hepatology notes usually make the meaning obvious with paracentesis results. Every hospitalized cirrhotic with ascites should have a diagnostic tap. Patients who survive an episode receive long-term antibiotic prophylaxis. Secondary peritonitis, from a perforation, is suggested by multiple organisms on culture.
2. Systolic blood pressure
Medical · Cardiology Abbreviations
Peak pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts, the top number of a blood pressure reading. In adults over 50 it predicts cardiovascular risk better than diastolic pressure, and guidelines set treatment targets around 120 to 130 mmHg for most people with hypertension.
Example: SBP 210 on arrival with headache and confusion: hypertensive emergency, nicardipine drip started.
The SPRINT trial (2015) found that targeting a systolic pressure below 120 mmHg rather than 140 reduced cardiovascular events and deaths in high-risk adults without diabetes. Systolic pressure rises with age as arteries stiffen, producing isolated systolic hypertension in many older adults. In hepatology SBP means spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, so the section of the note matters.
3. Survivor Benefit Plan
Military · Veteran Abbreviations
Military retirement annuity program that pays a monthly benefit, up to 55 percent of the retiree's chosen base amount, to a surviving spouse or children after the retiree's death, in exchange for monthly premiums.
Example: He elected full SBP coverage so his wife would keep an income after he dies.
Retirees must decide on SBP coverage at retirement, and declining it requires spouse consent. The long-criticized "widow's tax," which offset SBP payments by the amount of DIC, was phased out by 2023. SBP benefits receive annual cost-of-living adjustments.
Related abbreviations
More gastroenterology abbreviations
- PUD – Peptic ulcer disease
- RYGB – Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
- SBFT – Small bowel follow-through
- SBO – Small bowel obstruction
- SBS – Short bowel syndrome
- SIBO – Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
- TIPS – Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
- tTG – Tissue transglutaminase (antibody test)
See all 85 gastroenterology abbreviations →
More cardiology abbreviations
- S4 – Fourth heart sound
- SA – Sinoatrial
- SAVR – Surgical aortic valve replacement
- SBE – Subacute bacterial endocarditis
- SCA – Sudden cardiac arrest
- SCAD – Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
- SCD – Sudden cardiac death
- SEM – Systolic ejection murmur
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.