Neuro ICP & Pharmacology Flashcards
What is ICP a measure of?
Intracranial pressure refers to the supratentorial CSF pressure.
-Measured in the lateral ventricles or in subarachnoid space over cerebral cortex.
-ICP is measuring the compliance within the cranium
What is contained in the Cranial Vault?
-Brain-80-90%, Blood-12%, CSF-8%, Intracellular H2O
-Small increases in volume are tolerated well.
What is the Monro-Kelly Doctrine?
-The brain is enclosed and non-compressible.
-Any increases in total intracranial volume = increased ICP.
-Because the skull is rigid, any expansion of one of these compartments must be compensated by a reduction in size of the others if ICP is to remain constant.
Nagelhout:
The brain is enclosed within the cranium, and because the brain is not compressible any increase in total intracranial volume produces an accompanying increase in ICP.
What are Compensatory Mechanisms for increased ICP?
Initially, displacement of CSF from cranial to spinal compartment.
-Increase in CSF absorption
-Decrease in CSF production
-Decrease in total blood volume (mainly venous drainage)
What is normal ICP in adults?
5-15 mmHg
What ICP is Intracranial HTN?
> 15 mmHg
-Treatment is needed if >20 mmHg
What does increased ICP due to CPP & CBF?
Marked increases in ICP can decrease CPP & CBF and cause regional or general ischemia. (!!)
What is Cushing’s Triad?
A sign of severely increased ICP indicating impending brain herniation.
-Widening Pulse pressure (↑systolic ↓diastolic)
-↓HR
-irregular RR
What are the S/Sx of increased ICP?
-Headache
-n/v
-Papilledema
-focal neurologic deficits
-altered ventilatory function
-decreased consciousness (LOC)
-seizures
-coma
What are causes of increased ICP?
-Trauma
-Hemorrhage
-Infection (encephalitis)
-Edema (3 different kinds)
-Increased CBF or decreased venous outflow (thrombosis)
-Systemic hypertension
-Inadequate CSF absorption
-Post traumatic seizure
-Mass effect from tumors, abscesses, bleeds
What are the kinds of edema associated with increased ICP?
1) Cytotoxic
2) Vasogenic
3) Interstitial
What is Cytotoxic Edema?
Increased intracellular water.
-Cells lose their ability to regulate what comes in and out.
-Traumatic brain injury and stroke.
What is Vasogenic Edema?
A loss of BBB integrity; proteins flow out and causes an osmotic gradient with more fluid following.
-Tumors
-Steroids are good here to get rid of edema around the tumor
What is Interstitial Edema?
hydrocephalus, extracellular water
What is the gold standard for ICP Monitoring?
Intraventricular catheter
-Requires skill to place
-Low cost, accurate, reliable
Nagelhout:
-Very precise
-Highly invasive
-Can drain CSF to lower ICP
-Infection risk
What are other methods of ICP monitoring?
-Intraparenchymal: small hole, can’t recalibrate.
-Subarachnoid, subdural, and epidural aren’t used much.
What increases the risk of infection with a Ventricular Drain?
-Drain in place > 5 days
-Other infection in body
-Previous Craniotomy
-Hemorrhage
-CSF leaks