Increased ICP Flashcards
Normal ICP
Pressure exerted from total volume of 3 components within the skull - brain tissue, blood and CSF
Relationship between 3 components within the skull
If volume of any of 3 components increases without corresponding decrease in another component the result is increased ICP (Monroe-Kelly Hypothesis)
Measure of ICP and normal and abnormal values
In ventricles, subarachniod space, subdural space, epidural space, or brain tissue using a pressure transducer
normal ICP: 5-15 mmHg
sustained ICP > 20 mmHg = abnormal
Compensatory Mechanisms to resist increased ICO by: (3)
- Changes in CSF volume
- Altering intracranial blood volume
- Brain tissue volume
However, compensatory adaptation are finite. only going to last so long and then they will cause brain damage
Compensatory Mechanism: changes in CSF volume
By displacement of CSF (into spinal subarachnoid space) or altering production and absorption rates of CSF
Compensatory Mechanisms: Altering intracranial blood volume
By compression of veins, or vasoconstriction/vasodilation, or changes in venous outflow
Compensatory Mechanism: Brain Tissue
Distension of dura, or compression of brain tissue
Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) definition
Amount of blood (ml) passing through 100 gms of brain tissue/min -> approx 750ml/min
Brain and glucose
brain is unable to store oxygen and glucose means you always have to have blood flow and supply of glucose and oxygen
CBF: Autoregulation
Brain has ability to autoregulate its own blood flow in response to metabolic needs.
- automatic alteration in diameter of cerebral flow to maintain constant blood flow
autoregulation does not work in extreme hypo/hypertension
MAP and Autoregulation of CBF
If MAP< 50, CBF is decreased and cerebral ischemia occurs
If MAP>150, cerebral vessels are maximally constricted and further response is lost
Other Factors Affecting CBP
- PaCO2
- PaO2
Increased Carbon Dioxide in the blood (increased PaCO2) causes cerebral vasodilation, decreased vascular resistance, and increased cerebral blood flow. If carbon dioxide is decreased in the blood this is reversed and CBF is decreased
PaO2 < 50 - vascular dilation, increasing CBF. In acidotic environment, further vasodilation in attempt to increased blood flow
CBF can be indirectly reflected by calculating cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP)
What is CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)
CPP is the pressure needed to ensure adequate perfusion to brain tissue
CPP does not reflect perfusion pressure in ALL parts of the brain
Calculation of CPP
CPP = MAP - ICP
Calculation of MAP
MAP = SBP + 2(DBP)/3
Imperative to maintain MAP when ICP is increased
Normal CPP
70-100 mmHg
Min CPP required for adequate cerebral perfusion
50-60 mmHg
CPP meaning cerebral ischemia
CPP < 50 mmHg
CPP incompatible with life
CPP < 30 mmHg
What causes increased ICP (4)
- Cerebral edema
- Contusion (bruise - can cause bleeding and swelling)
- Cerebral abscess (pocket of pus and infected fluid in the brain)
- Cerebral neoplasm
Causes of cerebral abscess
surgery, ear infection, sinus infection, brain injury, meningitis, hx of IV drug use, HIV/AIDS, immunocompromised
Crucial factor of increased ICP
preservation of brain tissue by maintaining cerebral blood flow