Chapter 152 Traumatic Brain Injury
• Identification and management of extracranial disorders, such as systemic hypotension, hypoxemia, and hypoventilation, should be the first priority when treating a patient with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Mannitol is effective in treating intracranial hypertension, but it can compromise cerebral perfusion if its osmotic diuretic effects are not ameliorated rapidly with intravascular volume replacement.
• Hypertonic saline (7% to 8%) is effective in treating intracranial hypertension and is less likely to lead to hypovolemia and decreased cerebral perfusion.