Management of increased intracranial pressure: a review for clinicians

Emergency physicians are frequently confronted with head-injured patients, many of whom have intracranial hypertension. Since direct correlations have been reported between increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and adverse outcome, it is important to rapidly identify and treat these patients. Furthermore, since the actual brain damage that occurs at the time of injury cannot be modified, the maximization of neurological recovery depends upon minimizing secondary insults to the brain, most notably preventing hypotension and hypoxemia. Volume resuscitation to maintain an adequate mean arterial pressure, airway control, and sedation and analgesia to prevent surges in ICP remain the cornerstone of early management. These principles and the emergency department management of the head-injured patient are reviewed in this paper.