Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

A Detailed Protocol for Physiological Parameters Acquisition and Analysis in Neurosurgical Critical Patients
Published on: October 17, 2017
[Increased intracranial pressure and brain edema]
1Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Nürnberg, Breslauer Str. 201, 90471, Nürnberg, Deutschland.
Insights
Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) in brain diseases requires invasive monitoring for detection. Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), derived from ICP and mean arterial pressure (MAP), is crucial for assessing brain perfusion.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Critical Care Medicine
Context:
- Primary and secondary brain diseases can cause dangerous increases in intracranial pressure (ICP).
- Rising ICP may not present obvious symptoms, especially under sedation, necessitating invasive ICP monitoring.
- Cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is a key indicator of brain perfusion, calculated as Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) minus ICP.
Purpose:
- To highlight the critical role of invasive intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in managing brain diseases.
- To emphasize the importance of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in assessing brain perfusion.
- To review existing evidence on various ICP-reducing treatment strategies.
Summary:
- Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in brain diseases stems from rising volumes of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood.
- Invasive ICP monitoring is essential for detecting elevated ICP, particularly in sedated patients.
- Effective management involves understanding ICP, CPP (MAP-ICP), and evaluating treatments like hyperventilation, hypothermia, and surgery.
Impact:
- Improved detection and management of elevated ICP in critical neurological conditions.
- Enhanced understanding of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) for optimizing treatment strategies.
- Informed clinical decision-making regarding ICP-reducing therapies, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
In primary and secondary brain diseases, increasing volumes of the three compartments of brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, or blood lead to a critical increase in intracranial pressure (ICP). A rising ICP is associated with typical clinical symptoms; however, during analgosedation it can only be detected by invasive ICP monitoring. Other neuromonitoring procedures are not as effective as ICP monitoring; they reflect the ICP changes and their complications by other metabolic and oxygenation parameters. The most relevant parameter for brain perfusion is cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), which is calculated as the difference between the middle arterial pressure (MAP) and the ICP. A mixed body of evidence exists for the different ICP-reducing treatment measures, such as hyperventilation, hyperosmolar substances, hypothermia, glucocorticosteroids, CSF drainage, and decompressive surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

