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Intracranial pressure monitoring for traumatic brain injury: available evidence and clinical implications

N Stocchetti1, L Longhi, E R Zanier

  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, University of Milan and Neuroscience ICU, Maggiore Policlinico IRCCS Hospital Milan, Italy. stocchet@policlinico.mi.it

Minerva Anestesiologica
|April 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Intracranial hypertension after brain injury is a major cause of death. This review examines the benefits and drawbacks of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and considers a trial to test its effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurosurgery
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a primary cause of mortality.
  • Despite consensus on the negative impacts of high ICP, recent evidence has challenged the established benefits of ICP monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of intracranial pressure monitoring.
  • To explore the potential desirability and feasibility of a clinical trial investigating the benefits of ICP monitoring.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of existing evidence on ICP monitoring.
  • Discussion of the clinical implications and future research directions.

Main Results:

  • The review synthesizes arguments for and against the routine use of ICP monitoring.
  • Identifies areas of uncertainty and debate regarding ICP monitoring's efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Further investigation through a well-designed clinical trial is warranted to definitively establish the benefits of ICP monitoring in managing intracranial hypertension.
  • The findings underscore the need for evidence-based guidelines in neurocritical care.

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