ICP and CPP
This measurement is calculated by subtracting ICP from MAP.
What is Cerebral Perfusion Pressure?
This is the minimum MAP target in a patient with suspected elevated ICP.
What is 80 mmHg?
These three secondary brain injuries are collectively referred to as "H-Bombs."
What are hypoxia, hypotension, and hyperventilation?
This medication was traditionally avoided in traumatic head injury patients due to the thought that it increased ICP. This was later realized to be false.
What is ketamine?
Cushing’s Triad consists of bradycardia, hypertension, and this respiratory pattern.
What are irregular respirations?
The target upper limit for ICP in a neurocritical patient.
What is < 20 mmHg?
This vasopressor is typically first-line for maintaining MAP in neurotrauma patients.
What is norepinephrine?
This is the target ETCO₂ range to avoid hyperventilation-induced vasoconstriction.
What is 35 to 40 mmHg?
These two osmotic agents are used to lower ICP by drawing fluid out of the brain.
What are mannitol and hypertonic saline?
A posturing pattern characterized by extension of the arms and legs, often indicating deeper brain injury.
What is decerebrate posturing?
If a patient’s MAP is 70 and ICP is 25, this is their cerebral perfusion pressure.
What is 45 mmHg?
This is the primary reason hypotension is especially dangerous in TBI.
What is decreased cerebral perfusion pressure?
The target oxygen saturation in neurocritical care patients.
What is 94% or greater?
This concentration of hypertonic saline is often used prehospital or during transport for suspected herniation.
What is 3%?
A motor response of withdrawing from pain correlates with this GCS motor score.
What is 4?
Three non-invasive methods to lower elevated ICP in the field.
What is head elevation, midline positioning, an sedation?
Large fluid boluses are ideal for neurotrauma patients with hypotension.
What is false?
This is the only scenario where hyperventilation is temporarily indicated in TBI.
What is signs of impending herniation?
This sedative, which is commonly utilized but generally not carried in EMS, reduces ICP but can cause hypotension if not paired with vasopressors.
What is propofol?
Pupils that are equal but sluggish may indicate this potential issue.
Although it temporarily reduces ICP, this intervention may decrease CPP by reducing cerebral blood flow.
What is hyperventilation?
This medication class may simultaneously raise MAP and lower ICP by reducing cerebral metabolic demand.
What are sedatives?
Each of these H-Bombs has this specific harmful effect on cerebral physiology.
What is secondary brain injury through ischemia or reduced perfusion?
This is the ideal ETCO₂ range post-intubation for neuroprotection.
What is 35 - 40 mmHg?
As ambient pressure decreases during ascent, this gas law explains how intracranial air (e.g., pneumocephalus) can potentially worsen ICP.
What is Boyle's Law?