Hyperosmolar Therapy for Increased Intracranial Pressure (Review)
www.pulmccm.org
Hypertonic Saline & Mannitol for Raised Intracranial Pressure (More PulmCCM Topic Updates) Acute brain injuries of all sorts increase the pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure). Traumatic brain injury, bleeding in or around the brain, severe ischemic stroke, and acute hepatic failure all raise intracranial pressure, and increased intracranial pressure often becomes the most severe and immediate threat to life and long-term neurologic function in these conditions. Hyperosmolar therapy with hypertonic saline or mannitol can rapidly reduce intracranial pressure, possibly saving lives and brain cells. In ideal circumstances, every patient with raised intracranial pressure would be treated at a center providing advanced neurologic critical care; however, this is not the case in most of the world. Therefore, every intensivist should be at least familiar with the principles of hypertonic / hyperosmolar therapy for the treatment of acute increased intracranial pressure.
Hyperosmolar Therapy for Increased Intracranial Pressure (Review)
Hyperosmolar Therapy for Increased…
Hyperosmolar Therapy for Increased Intracranial Pressure (Review)
Hypertonic Saline & Mannitol for Raised Intracranial Pressure (More PulmCCM Topic Updates) Acute brain injuries of all sorts increase the pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure). Traumatic brain injury, bleeding in or around the brain, severe ischemic stroke, and acute hepatic failure all raise intracranial pressure, and increased intracranial pressure often becomes the most severe and immediate threat to life and long-term neurologic function in these conditions. Hyperosmolar therapy with hypertonic saline or mannitol can rapidly reduce intracranial pressure, possibly saving lives and brain cells. In ideal circumstances, every patient with raised intracranial pressure would be treated at a center providing advanced neurologic critical care; however, this is not the case in most of the world. Therefore, every intensivist should be at least familiar with the principles of hypertonic / hyperosmolar therapy for the treatment of acute increased intracranial pressure.