Monitoring and interpretation of intracranial pressure after head injury

M Czosnyka, PJ Hutchinson, M Balestreri, M Hiler… - Brain Edema XIII, 2006 - Springer
M Czosnyka, PJ Hutchinson, M Balestreri, M Hiler, P Smielewski, JD Pickard
Brain Edema XIII, 2006Springer
Objective To investigate the relationships between long-term computer-assisted monitoring
of intracranial pressure (ICP) and indices derived from its waveform versus outcome, age,
and sex. Materials and methods From 1992 to 2002, 429 sedated and ventilated head-
injured patients were continuously monitored. ICP and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were
recorded directly and stored in bedside computers. Additional calculated variables included:
1) Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)= ABP− ICP; 2) a PRx calculated as a moving …
Objective
To investigate the relationships between long-term computer-assisted monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) and indices derived from its waveform versus outcome, age, and sex.
Materials and methods
From 1992 to 2002, 429 sedated and ventilated head-injured patients were continuously monitored. ICP and arterial blood pressure (ABP) were recorded directly and stored in bedside computers. Additional calculated variables included: 1) Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) = ABP − ICP; 2) a PRx calculated as a moving correlation coefficient between slow waves (of periods from 20 seconds to 3 minutes) of ICP and ABP.
Results
Fatal outcome was associated with higher ICP (p < 0:000002), worse PRx (p < 0:0006), and lower CPP (p < 0:001). None of these parameters differentiated severely disabled patients from patients with a favorable outcome. Higher average ICP, lower CPP, worse outcome, and worse pressure reactivity were observed in females than in males (age-matched). Worse outcome, lower mean ICP, worse PRx, and higher CPP were significantly associated with the older age of patients.
Conclusion
High ICP and low PRx are strongly associated with fatal outcome. There is a considerable heterogeneity amongst patients; optimization of care depends upon observing the time-trends for the individual patient.
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