Emergency Neurological Life Support: Intracranial Hypertension and Herniation

Neurocrit Care. 2017 Sep;27(Suppl 1):82-88. doi: 10.1007/s12028-017-0454-z.

Abstract

Sustained intracranial hypertension and acute brain herniation are "brain codes," signifying catastrophic neurological events that require immediate recognition and treatment to prevent irreversible injury and death. As in cardiac arrest, a brain code mandates the organized implementation of a stepwise management algorithm. The goal of this Emergency Neurological Life Support protocol is to implement an evidence-based, standardized approach to the evaluation and management of patients with intracranial hypertension and/or herniation.

Keywords: Emergency Neurological Life Support; Intracranial hypertension; Intracranial pressure; Neurocritical care.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Brain Edema / diagnosis*
  • Brain Edema / therapy*
  • Clinical Protocols* / standards
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Critical Care / standards
  • Emergency Medical Services / methods*
  • Emergency Medical Services / standards
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / therapy*
  • Life Support Care / methods*
  • Life Support Care / standards
  • Neurology / methods*
  • Neurology / standards
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*