Control of Intracranial Pressure During Intensive Care

Abstract

Intercranial pressure (ICP) is one of the factors which influence the outcome of patients suffering from neurological disorders. In a recent study, Miller and co-workers⁽¹⁾ showed that 92% of the patients suffering from head injury died when ICP was markedly raised (> 40 mm Hg) and could not be reduced in time and 3% survived in a vegetative state. ICP is caused by the components of brain tissue, blood vessels including cerebral blood volume and cerebrospinal fluid. If one component increases its volume, for example, by oedema, cerebral vasodilatation or by occlusion hydrocephalus, the pressure within the skull rises because there is no means of rapid compensation. Later on, some form of compensation may occur.