Advances in cerebral monitoring for the patient with traumatic brain injury

Management of Intracranial Pressure Part II: Nonpharmacologic Interventions

Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are available to treat patients who experience serious elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP). In some cases, patients may experience ICP that is refractory to treatment. Significant negative effects on cerebral blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and cerebral metabolism occur as a result of intracranial hypertension, leading to secondary brain injury. In part 2 of this series, nonpharmacologic interventions for ICP and ICP refractory to treatment are discussed. Interventions include neurologic monitoring (bedside assessment and multimodal monitoring), ventilatory support, fluid and electrolyte maintenance, targeted temperature management, and surgical intervention. Technology is always evolving, and the focus of multimodal monitoring here includes devices to monitor ICP, brain tissue oxygen tension, and cerebral blood flow and cerebral microdialysis monitors. Nursing care of these patients includes perspicacious assessment and integration of data, monitoring ventilatory and hemodynamic functioning, and appropriate patient positioning. Nurses must collaborate with the interprofessional care team to ensure favorable patient outcomes while utilizing an evidence-based guideline for the management of ICP.

Invasive Neuromonitoring

Advances in technology have resulted in a plethora of invasive neuromonitoring options for practitioners to manage while caring for the complex needs of the critical care patient. Although many types of invasive neuromonitoring are available to the practitioner, intraparenchymal monitors and external ventricular devices are used most frequently in the clinical setting and are the focus of this article. In addition, multimodality monitoring has been noted to confer a survival benefit in patients with this complex type of invasive neuromonitoring and is discussed as well.

The Use of Automated Pupillometry in Critical Care

The neurologic examination (neuroexamination) is one of the most powerful tools available to nurses and physicians caring for patients with neurologic or neurosurgical illness. Assessing cranial nerve function is one of the most vital components of the neuroexamination. The pupillary light reflex helps to evaluate the status of the second and third cranial nerves and is one of the most well-known elements of the cranial nerve examination. Automated pupillometers have been developed that provide objective measures of size of the pupil and the responsiveness of the pupil to light (neuropupillary index).

Blood Pressure Management Controversies in Neurocritical Care

Blood pressure (BP) management is essential in neurocritical care settings to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion and prevent secondary brain injury. Despite consensus on the importance of BP monitoring, significant practice variations persist regarding optimal methods for monitoring and treatment of BP values among patients with neurologic injuries. This article provides a summary of research investigating various approaches for BP management in neurocritical care. Evidence-based recommendations, areas for future research, and current technological advancements for BP management are discussed.