Introduction Understanding physiology underpins the logical decisions of critical care practice. Although facts and knowledge of literature findings and recommendations for specific problems clearly help inform good management, bedrock principles of physiology and pathophysiology translate across patients; awareness of them…
This chapter reviews available neuroimaging methods and their application in the evaluation and management of the critically ill and injured. Imaging modalities Radiography Plain radiography plays a minor role in evaluating the neurologically ill or injured patient. Radiography is not…
Introduction Despite many advances made in its diagnosis and treatment, spinal cord injury (SCI) continues to present challenging critical care issues to be treated, both acutely and chronically. The injury undoubtedly results in substantial psychological and financial impact not only…
Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a medical and social problem worldwide, with an estimated 10 million cases leading to hospitalization or death each year. Most TBIs are mild, and the incidence of TBI varies widely by ages and between…
Abnormal neuromuscular function may precipitate a patient’s admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or it may develop because of another critical illness and its treatment. This chapter focuses primarily on respiratory failure caused by neuromuscular disease but also addresses…
Introduction The routine use of continuous electroencephalographic (cEEG) recordings in intensive care demonstrates that clinical seizures in critically ill patients, both with neurologic and nonneurologic conditions, are the tip of the iceberg regarding seizure frequency in this vulnerable population. Nonconvulsive…
Hemorrhage Epidemiology Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common type of stroke, following only ischemic stroke in frequency. Spontaneous, nontraumatic ICH accounts for approximately 9%–27% of all strokes globally. , The incidence doubles every decade after age 35. ,…
Stroke is currently recognized as the fifth most common cause of death and the leading cause of permanent disability in the United States, affecting nearly 795,000 people annually. Acute ischemic stroke is a true medical emergency and must be treated…
Cardiopulmonary arrest occurs as the endpoint or consequence of many diseases. The mechanism is often unknown when treatment is initiated, and an algorithmic approach titrated to real-time monitoring is used. When the cause is known or suspected, individualized therapy can…
Brain injury represents a constellation of both well- and ill-defined neurologic conditions that are the sequelae of both traumatic and nontraumatic illness, including stroke, anoxic-ischemic events, and sepsis. Traditionally, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electroencephalography (EEG) have…