Acute Blood Pressure Management in Neurocritically Ill Patients

Abstract

Optimal blood pressure (BP) management is controversial in neurocritically ill patients due to conflicting concerns of worsening ischemia with decreased BP versus cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure with elevated BP. In addition, high‐quality evidence is lacking regarding optimal BP goals in patients with most of these conditions. This review summarizes guideline recommendations and examines the literature for BP management in patients with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.

Prevention Strategies to Improve Outcomes in Critically Ill Adults

“…Similarly, physiologic status makes blood pressure control in the neurocritical care patient a tenuous endeavor, especially considering that blood pressure goals differ by disease etiology and severity. 18 These considerations were highlighted 19 because optimal blood pressure control directly influences neurologic recovery and patient outcomes.…”