TBI Flashcards
normal parameters of ICP
0-15
normal parameters of CPP
60-150
< 60 = brain is not being perfused
normal parameters of MAP
70-110
Epidemiology TBI
TBI is 2:1 Male:Female
Trimodal distribution (0-4, 15-24, >75)
Mortality rate increases with age
Etiologies of TBI
Motor vehicle collisions are primary cause of blunt head injury to young adults and children
Fall MC in elderly
“Signature injury” of combat veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan
Monro-Kellie Hypothesis
1 or 2 of the 3 components of intracranial content will adjust to small increases in ICP
when mechanisms are used up, increased ICP will decrease CPP
Primary TBI Pathophysiology
Brain injury = unable to autoregulate and adjust CPP to > 60
decrease brain perfusion and cause hypoxia
tx of traumatic HoTN in primary TBI
Aggressive fluid resuscitation req/ to prevent HoTN and secondary brain injury
Maintain a MAP of >80 mmHG
Secondary neurotoxic cascade:
ongoing damage to the brain following initial impact that causes worsen neurologic outcome
Secondary insults
HoTN
Hypoxemia
Hyperglycemia
glutamate and TBI
Prolonged ischemia = glutamate levels increase, activate NMDA receptor channels = increase in Ca = Calcium Cascade
types of cerebral edema
Cytotoxic edema
Vasogenic (extracellular) edema
Cytotoxic edema
via NMDA rec/calcium cascade causing ionic shifts and loss of integrity due to mitochondrial damage
Vasogenic (extracellular) edema
direct damage to or breakdown of BBB (i.e. cancer)
TLDR: glutamate and TBI pahto
TBI ischemia causes increase in glutamate which activates NMDA channels to kick off calcium cascade, leading to worsening damage to brain tissue and cell death. This also causes cerebral edema and potentially herniation.
GCS TBI Scoring:
Mild:
Moderate
Severe
Mild: 14-15
Moderate: 9-13
Severe 3-8
GCS limitations
Unable to asses mild TBI
Not useful as single acute measure of severity, more of a tool to assess progression over time
Imaging TBI
non-contrast CT (helps determine if C Spine injury or any cranial bleeding)
who always gets CT
GCS < 12, pt on anticoagulant, antiplatelet or children
req. to use New Orleans or Canada
GCS >12 + LOC or Amnesia
New Orleans Criteria (15)
HA Vomiting Age > 60 Intoxication Persistent amnesia seizure
Canada (13-15)
GCS <15
suspected skull fracture
> 65
1+ vomiting
Dangerous mechanism
Treatment goals
maintain cerebral perfusion and oxygenation
via optimizing intravascular volume and ventilation
Tx mechanisms/elements (8)
Prevention of secondary insult
Observe for s/s of increased ICP
Airway breathing
Circulation:
Raising head of bed
Glucose control
Temperature control
Seizure tx
Prevention of secondary insult:
correction of hypoxia, hypercapnia, hyperglycemia, hyperthermia, anemia, hypoperfusion
Avoid HoTN and Hypoxemia!!! BP < 90, hypoxemia <60 = 150% increase in mortality
Observe for s/s of increased ICP
will look like on imaging?
decreased visibility and gyri, compressed lateral ventricles