ICP managment

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

Primary intracranial pressure disorders include idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Remarkable advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these 2entities in recent years. Therefore, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (GECSEN) deemed it necessary to prepare this consensus statement, including diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms to facilitate and improve the management of these disorders in clinical practice. This document was created by a committee of experts belonging to GECSEN, and is based on a systematic review of the literature, incorporating the experience of the participants, and establishes practical recommendations with levels of evidence and grades of recommendation.

Optimisation of brain oxygenation might improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury. The OXY-TC trial explored the superiority of a strategy combining intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) monitoring over a strategy of intracranial pressure monitoring only to reduce the proportion of patients with poor neurological outcome at 6 months. We did an open-label, randomised controlled superiority trial at 25 French tertiary referral centres. Within 16 h of brain injury, patients with severe traumatic brain injury (aged 18-75 years) were randomly assigned via a website to be managed during the first 5 days of admission to the intensive care unit either by intracranial pressure monitoring only or by both intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring. Randomisation was stratified by age and centre. The study was open label due to the visibility of the intervention, but the statisticians and outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. The therapeutic objectives were to maintain intracranial pressure of 20 mm Hg or lower, and to keep PbtO2 (for those in the dual-monitoring group) above 20 mm Hg, at all times. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score of 1-4 (death to upper severe disability) at 6 months after injury. The primary analysis was reported in the modified intention-to-treat population, which comprised all randomly assigned patients except those who withdrew consent or had protocol violations. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02754063, and is completed. Between June 15, 2016, and April 17, 2021, 318 patients were randomly assigned to receive either intracranial pressure monitoring only (n=160) or both intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring (n=158). 27 individuals with protocol violations were not included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Thus, the primary outcome was analysed for 144 patients in the intracranial pressure only group and 147 patients in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group. Compared with intracranial pressure monitoring only, intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring did not reduce the proportion of patients with GOSE score 1-4 (51% [95% CI 43-60] in the intracranial pressure monitoring only group vs 52% [43-60] in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring group; odds ratio 1·0 [95% CI 0·6-1·7]; p=0·95). Two (1%) of 144 participants in the intracranial pressure only group and 12 (8%) of 147 participants in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group had catheter dysfunction (p=0.011). Six patients (4%) in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group had an intracrebral haematoma related to the catheter, compared with none in the intracranial pressure only group (p=0.030). No significant difference in deaths was found between the two groups at 12 months after injury. At 12 months, 33 deaths had occurred in the intracranial pressure group: 25 (76%) were attributable to the brain trauma, six (18%) were end-of-life decisions, and two (6%) due to sepsis. 34 deaths had occured in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group at 12 months: 25 (74%) were attributable to the brain trauma, six (18%) were end-of-life decisions, one (3%) due to pulmonary embolism, one (3%) due to haemorrhagic shock, and one (3%) due to cardiac arrest. After severe non-penetrating traumatic brain injury, intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring did not reduce the proportion of patients with poor neurological outcome at 6 months. Technical failures related to intracerebral catheter and intracerebral haematoma were more frequent in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group. Further research is needed to assess whether a targeted approach to multimodal brain monitoring could be useful in subgroups of patients with severe traumatic brain injury-eg, those with high intracranial pressure on admission. The French National Program for Clinical Research, La Fondation des Gueules Cassées, and Integra Lifesciences.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by progressive development of kidney cysts and is the most common inherited kidney disorder worldwide. ADPKD accounts for 5% to 10% of kidney failure in the US and Europe, and its prevalence in the US is 9.3 per 10&#x202f;000 individuals. ADPKD is typically diagnosed in individuals aged 27 to 42 years and is primarily caused by pathogenic variants in the PKD1 (78%) or PKD2 (15%) genes. Most persons with ADPKD have an affected parent, but de novo disease is suggested in 10% to 25% of families. More than 90% of patients older than 35 years have hepatic cysts, which may cause abdominal discomfort and occasionally require medical or surgical intervention. Hypertension affects 70% to 80% of patients with ADPKD, and approximately 9% to 14% develop intracranial aneurysms, which have a rupture rate of 0.57 per 1000 patient-years. Approximately 50% of individuals with ADPKD require kidney replacement therapy by 62 years of age. The severity of kidney disease can be quantified using the Mayo Imaging Classification (MIC), which stratifies patients based on total kidney volume adjusted for height and age and ranges from 1A to 1E. Patients with MIC 1C to MIC 1E have larger kidneys because of more rapid growth (6%-10% per year) compared with those with MIC 1A and 1B (1%-5% per year) and have earlier progression to kidney replacement therapy, which occurs at a mean age of 58.4 years for MIC 1C, 52.5 years for MIC 1D, and 43.4 years for MIC 1E. Optimal management of ADPKD includes systolic blood pressure lower than 120 mm Hg for most patients, but lower than 110/75 mm Hg for patients with MIC 1C to 1E who have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) greater than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and are younger than 50 years, dietary sodium restriction (<2000 mg/d), weight management, and adequate hydration (>2.5 L daily). The vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonist tolvaptan reduces the annual rate of eGFR decline by 0.98 to 1.27 mL/min/1.73 m2 and is indicated for patients with MIC 1C to 1E or an eGFR decline greater than 3 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year to slow disease progression and delay the onset of kidney failure. ADPKD is the most common genetic kidney disease worldwide and is characterized by progressive development of kidney cysts. Patients typically have hypertension and liver cysts, and 9% to 14% develop intracranial aneurysms. First-line treatment includes blood pressure control, dietary and weight management, and adequate hydration. Tolvaptan reduces the rate of eGFR decline for those at high risk of rapid progression to kidney failure.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

Optimisation of brain oxygenation might improve neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury. The OXY-TC trial explored the superiority of a strategy combining intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygen pressure (PbtO2) monitoring over a strategy of intracranial pressure monitoring only to reduce the proportion of patients with poor neurological outcome at 6 months. We did an open-label, randomised controlled superiority trial at 25 French tertiary referral centres. Within 16 h of brain injury, patients with severe traumatic brain injury (aged 18-75 years) were randomly assigned via a website to be managed during the first 5 days of admission to the intensive care unit either by intracranial pressure monitoring only or by both intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring. Randomisation was stratified by age and centre. The study was open label due to the visibility of the intervention, but the statisticians and outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. The therapeutic objectives were to maintain intracranial pressure of 20 mm Hg or lower, and to keep PbtO2 (for those in the dual-monitoring group) above 20 mm Hg, at all times. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with an extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) score of 1-4 (death to upper severe disability) at 6 months after injury. The primary analysis was reported in the modified intention-to-treat population, which comprised all randomly assigned patients except those who withdrew consent or had protocol violations. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02754063, and is completed. Between June 15, 2016, and April 17, 2021, 318 patients were randomly assigned to receive either intracranial pressure monitoring only (n=160) or both intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring (n=158). 27 individuals with protocol violations were not included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis. Thus, the primary outcome was analysed for 144 patients in the intracranial pressure only group and 147 patients in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group. Compared with intracranial pressure monitoring only, intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring did not reduce the proportion of patients with GOSE score 1-4 (51% [95% CI 43-60] in the intracranial pressure monitoring only group vs 52% [43-60] in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring group; odds ratio 1&#xb7;0 [95% CI 0&#xb7;6-1&#xb7;7]; p=0&#xb7;95). Two (1%) of 144 participants in the intracranial pressure only group and 12 (8%) of 147 participants in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group had catheter dysfunction (p=0.011). Six patients (4%) in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group had an intracrebral haematoma related to the catheter, compared with none in the intracranial pressure only group (p=0.030). No significant difference in deaths was found between the two groups at 12 months after injury. At 12 months, 33 deaths had occurred in the intracranial pressure group: 25 (76%) were attributable to the brain trauma, six (18%) were end-of-life decisions, and two (6%) due to sepsis. 34 deaths had occured in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group at 12 months: 25 (74%) were attributable to the brain trauma, six (18%) were end-of-life decisions, one (3%) due to pulmonary embolism, one (3%) due to haemorrhagic shock, and one (3%) due to cardiac arrest. After severe non-penetrating traumatic brain injury, intracranial pressure and PbtO2 monitoring did not reduce the proportion of patients with poor neurological outcome at 6 months. Technical failures related to intracerebral catheter and intracerebral haematoma were more frequent in the intracranial pressure and PbtO2 group. Further research is needed to assess whether a targeted approach to multimodal brain monitoring could be useful in subgroups of patients with severe traumatic brain injury-eg, those with high intracranial pressure on admission. The French National Program for Clinical Research, La Fondation des Gueules Cass&#xe9;es, and Integra Lifesciences.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Acutely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may have devastating effects on patient mortality and neurologic outcomes, yet its initial detection remains difficult because of the variety of manifestations that it can cause disease states it is associated with. Several treatment guidelines exist for specific disease processes such as trauma or ischemic stroke, but their recommendations may not apply to other causes. In the acute setting, management decisions must often be made before the underlying cause is known. In this review, we present an organized, evidence-based approach to the recognition and management of patients with suspected or confirmed elevated ICP in the first minutes to hours of resuscitation. We explore the utility of invasive and noninvasive methods of diagnosis, including history, physical examination, imaging, and ICP monitors. We synthesize various guidelines and expert recommendations and identify core management principles including noninvasive maneuvers, neuroprotective intubation and ventilation strategies, and pharmacologic therapies such as ketamine, lidocaine, corticosteroids, and the hyperosmolar agents mannitol and hypertonic saline. Although an in-depth discussion of the definitive management of each etiology is beyond the scope of this review, our goal is to provide an empirical approach to these time-sensitive, critical presentations in their initial stages.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

Primary intracranial pressure disorders include idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Remarkable advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these 2entities in recent years. Therefore, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (GECSEN) deemed it necessary to prepare this consensus statement, including diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms to facilitate and improve the management of these disorders in clinical practice. This document was created by a committee of experts belonging to GECSEN, and is based on a systematic review of the literature, incorporating the experience of the participants, and establishes practical recommendations with levels of evidence and grades of recommendation.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

Acutely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may have devastating effects on patient mortality and neurologic outcomes, yet its initial detection remains difficult because of the variety of manifestations that it can cause disease states it is associated with. Several treatment guidelines exist for specific disease processes such as trauma or ischemic stroke, but their recommendations may not apply to other causes. In the acute setting, management decisions must often be made before the underlying cause is known. In this review, we present an organized, evidence-based approach to the recognition and management of patients with suspected or confirmed elevated ICP in the first minutes to hours of resuscitation. We explore the utility of invasive and noninvasive methods of diagnosis, including history, physical examination, imaging, and ICP monitors. We synthesize various guidelines and expert recommendations and identify core management principles including noninvasive maneuvers, neuroprotective intubation and ventilation strategies, and pharmacologic therapies such as ketamine, lidocaine, corticosteroids, and the hyperosmolar agents mannitol and hypertonic saline. Although an in-depth discussion of the definitive management of each etiology is beyond the scope of this review, our goal is to provide an empirical approach to these time-sensitive, critical presentations in their initial stages.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), but optimal post-EVT blood pressure (BP) control remains debated. To assess the association of different systolic BP targets following EVT with functional outcomes, mortality, and complications in patients with AIS due to LVO. Systematic review and meta-analysis of databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) to September 8, 2023. Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized clinical trials examining post-EVT management of systolic BP in patients with AIS and LVO comparing intensive vs conventional targets. Nonrandomized studies, observational studies, noninterventional trials, meeting abstracts, duplicate studies, studies with overlapping data, and non-English language studies were excluded. Two authors independently applied these criteria through a blinded review, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials. This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Three authors extracted data regarding study characteristics, baseline patient data, and outcomes of interest. The pooled data were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis. Rates of functional independence, 90-day mortality, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, and hypotensive events. A total of 4 randomized clinical trials with 1571 initially enrolled patients were included in the analysis. Lower functional independence rates were observed in the intensive control group (relative risk [RR], 0.81 [95% CI, 0.67-0.98]). No significant differences were found in 90-day mortality (RR, 1.18 [95% CI, 0.92-1.52]), symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (RR, 1.12 [95% CI, 0.75-1.67]), or hypotensive events (RR, 1.80 [95% CI, 0.37-8.76]). There was minimal heterogeneity among the studies included in the functional independence outcome (I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;13% and &#x3c4;2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.003), which was absent among other outcomes (I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0 and &#x3c4;2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0). These findings suggest that intensive post-EVT BP reduction does not yield benefits and may carry risks. While awaiting the results of additional ongoing trials, a conservative BP management strategy after endovascular recanalization is favored in daily practice.

Acutely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may have devastating effects on patient mortality and neurologic outcomes, yet its initial detection remains difficult because of the variety of manifestations that it can cause disease states it is associated with. Several treatment guidelines exist for specific disease processes such as trauma or ischemic stroke, but their recommendations may not apply to other causes. In the acute setting, management decisions must often be made before the underlying cause is known. In this review, we present an organized, evidence-based approach to the recognition and management of patients with suspected or confirmed elevated ICP in the first minutes to hours of resuscitation. We explore the utility of invasive and noninvasive methods of diagnosis, including history, physical examination, imaging, and ICP monitors. We synthesize various guidelines and expert recommendations and identify core management principles including noninvasive maneuvers, neuroprotective intubation and ventilation strategies, and pharmacologic therapies such as ketamine, lidocaine, corticosteroids, and the hyperosmolar agents mannitol and hypertonic saline. Although an in-depth discussion of the definitive management of each etiology is beyond the scope of this review, our goal is to provide an empirical approach to these time-sensitive, critical presentations in their initial stages.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes invasive monitoring to prevent secondary brain injuries. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor is the main measurement used to that intent but cerebral hypoxia can occur despite normal ICP. This study will assess whether the addition of a brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) monitor prevents more secondary injuries that will translate into improved functional outcome. Multicentre, randomised, blinded-endpoint comparative effectiveness study enrolling 1094 patients with severe TBI monitored with both ICP and PbtO2. Patients will be randomised to medical management guided by ICP alone (treating team blinded to PbtO2 values) or both ICP and PbtO2. Management is protocolised according to international guidelines in a tiered approach fashion to maintain ICP <22 mm Hg and PbtO2 >20 mm Hg. ICP and PbtO2 will be continuously recorded for a minimum of 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended performed at 180 (&#xb1;30) days by a blinded central examiner. Favourable outcome is defined according to a sliding dichotomy where the definition of favourable outcome varies according to baseline severity. Severity will be defined according to the probability of poor outcome predicted by the IMPACT core model. A large battery of secondary outcomes including granular neuropsychological and quality of life measures will be performed. This has been approved by Advarra Ethics Committee (Pro00030585). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications. ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03754114).

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

Acutely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may have devastating effects on patient mortality and neurologic outcomes, yet its initial detection remains difficult because of the variety of manifestations that it can cause disease states it is associated with. Several treatment guidelines exist for specific disease processes such as trauma or ischemic stroke, but their recommendations may not apply to other causes. In the acute setting, management decisions must often be made before the underlying cause is known. In this review, we present an organized, evidence-based approach to the recognition and management of patients with suspected or confirmed elevated ICP in the first minutes to hours of resuscitation. We explore the utility of invasive and noninvasive methods of diagnosis, including history, physical examination, imaging, and ICP monitors. We synthesize various guidelines and expert recommendations and identify core management principles including noninvasive maneuvers, neuroprotective intubation and ventilation strategies, and pharmacologic therapies such as ketamine, lidocaine, corticosteroids, and the hyperosmolar agents mannitol and hypertonic saline. Although an in-depth discussion of the definitive management of each etiology is beyond the scope of this review, our goal is to provide an empirical approach to these time-sensitive, critical presentations in their initial stages.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability due to trauma. Early administration of tranexamic acid may benefit patients with TBI. To determine whether tranexamic acid treatment initiated in the out-of-hospital setting within 2 hours of injury improves neurologic outcome in patients with moderate or severe TBI. Multicenter, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial at 20 trauma centers and 39 emergency medical services agencies in the US and Canada from May 2015 to November 2017. Eligible participants (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;1280) included out-of-hospital patients with TBI aged 15 years or older with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12 or less and systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Three interventions were evaluated, with treatment initiated within 2 hours of TBI: out-of-hospital tranexamic acid (1 g) bolus and in-hospital tranexamic acid (1 g) 8-hour infusion (bolus maintenance group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;312), out-of-hospital tranexamic acid (2 g) bolus and in-hospital placebo 8-hour infusion (bolus only group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;345), and out-of-hospital placebo bolus and in-hospital placebo 8-hour infusion (placebo group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;309). The primary outcome was favorable neurologic function at 6 months (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score >4 [moderate disability or good recovery]) in the combined tranexamic acid group vs the placebo group. Asymmetric significance thresholds were set at 0.1 for benefit and 0.025 for harm. There were 18 secondary end points, of which 5 are reported in this article: 28-day mortality, 6-month Disability Rating Scale score (range, 0 [no disability] to 30 [death]), progression of intracranial hemorrhage, incidence of seizures, and incidence of thromboembolic events. Among 1063 participants, a study drug was not administered to 96 randomized participants and 1 participant was excluded, resulting in 966 participants in the analysis population (mean age, 42 years; 255 [74%] male participants; mean Glasgow Coma Scale score, 8). Of these participants, 819 (84.8%) were available for primary outcome analysis at 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome occurred in 65% of patients in the tranexamic acid groups vs 62% in the placebo group (difference, 3.5%; [90% 1-sided confidence limit for benefit, -0.9%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.16; [97.5% 1-sided confidence limit for harm, 10.2%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.84). There was no statistically significant difference in 28-day mortality between the tranexamic acid groups vs the placebo group (14% vs 17%; difference, -2.9% [95% CI, -7.9% to 2.1%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.26), 6-month Disability Rating Scale score (6.8 vs 7.6; difference, -0.9 [95% CI, -2.5 to 0.7]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.29), or progression of intracranial hemorrhage (16% vs 20%; difference, -5.4% [95% CI, -12.8% to 2.1%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.16). Among patients with moderate to severe TBI, out-of-hospital tranexamic acid administration within 2 hours of injury compared with placebo did not significantly improve 6-month neurologic outcome as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01990768.

Acutely elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) may have devastating effects on patient mortality and neurologic outcomes, yet its initial detection remains difficult because of the variety of manifestations that it can cause disease states it is associated with. Several treatment guidelines exist for specific disease processes such as trauma or ischemic stroke, but their recommendations may not apply to other causes. In the acute setting, management decisions must often be made before the underlying cause is known. In this review, we present an organized, evidence-based approach to the recognition and management of patients with suspected or confirmed elevated ICP in the first minutes to hours of resuscitation. We explore the utility of invasive and noninvasive methods of diagnosis, including history, physical examination, imaging, and ICP monitors. We synthesize various guidelines and expert recommendations and identify core management principles including noninvasive maneuvers, neuroprotective intubation and ventilation strategies, and pharmacologic therapies such as ketamine, lidocaine, corticosteroids, and the hyperosmolar agents mannitol and hypertonic saline. Although an in-depth discussion of the definitive management of each etiology is beyond the scope of this review, our goal is to provide an empirical approach to these time-sensitive, critical presentations in their initial stages.

No robust evidence is provided by literature regarding the management of intracranial hypertension following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is mostly due to the lack of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the presence of studies containing extreme heterogeneously collected populations and controversial considerations about chosen outcome. A scientific society should provide guidelines for care management and scientific support for those areas for which evidence-based medicine has not been identified. However, RCTs in severe TBI have failed to establish intervention effectiveness, arising the need to make greater use of tools such as Consensus Conferences between experts, which have the advantage of providing recommendations based on experience, on the analysis of updated literature data and on the direct comparison of different logistic realities. The Italian scientific societies should provide guidelines following the national laws ruling the best medical practice. However, many limitations do not allow the collection of data supporting high levels of evidence for intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring and decompressive craniectomy (DC) in patients with severe TBI. This intersociety document proposes best practice guidelines for this subsetting of patients to be adopted on a national Italian level, along with joint statements from "TBI Section" of the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SINch) endorsed by the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI). Presented here is a recap of recommendations on management of ICP and DC supported a high level of available evidence and rate of agreement expressed by the assemblies during the more recent consensus conferences, where members of both groups have had a role of active participants and supporters. The listed recommendations have been sent to a panel of experts consisting of the 107 members of the "TBI Section" of the SINch and the 111 members of the Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care Study Group of the SIAARTI. The aim of the survey was to test a preliminary evaluation of the grade of predictable future adherence of the recommendations following this intersociety proposal. The following recommendations are suggested as representing best clinical practice, nevertheless, adoption of local multidisciplinary protocols regarding thresholds of ICP values, drug therapies, hemostasis management and perioperative care of decompressed patients is strongly recommended to improve treatment efficiency, to increase the quality of data collection and to provide more powerful evidence with future studies. Thus, for this future perspective a rapid overview of the role of the multimodal neuromonitoring in the optimal severe TBI management is also provided in this document. It is reasonable to assume that the recommendations reported in this paper will in future be updated by new observations arising from future trials. They are not binding, and this document should be offered as a guidance for clinical practice through an intersociety agreement, taking in consideration the low level of evidence.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

The effect of decompressive craniectomy on clinical outcomes in patients with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension remains unclear. From 2004 through 2014, we randomly assigned 408 patients, 10 to 65 years of age, with traumatic brain injury and refractory elevated intracranial pressure (>25 mm Hg) to undergo decompressive craniectomy or receive ongoing medical care. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 6 months. The primary-outcome measure was analyzed with an ordinal method based on the proportional-odds model. If the model was rejected, that would indicate a significant difference in the GOS-E distribution, and results would be reported descriptively. The GOS-E distribution differed between the two groups (P<0.001). The proportional-odds assumption was rejected, and therefore results are reported descriptively. At 6 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 26.9% among 201 patients in the surgical group versus 48.9% among 188 patients in the medical group; vegetative state, 8.5% versus 2.1%; lower severe disability (dependent on others for care), 21.9% versus 14.4%; upper severe disability (independent at home), 15.4% versus 8.0%; moderate disability, 23.4% versus 19.7%; and good recovery, 4.0% versus 6.9%. At 12 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 30.4% among 194 surgical patients versus 52.0% among 179 medical patients; vegetative state, 6.2% versus 1.7%; lower severe disability, 18.0% versus 14.0%; upper severe disability, 13.4% versus 3.9%; moderate disability, 22.2% versus 20.1%; and good recovery, 9.8% versus 8.4%. Surgical patients had fewer hours than medical patients with intracranial pressure above 25 mm Hg after randomization (median, 5.0 vs. 17.0 hours; P<0.001) but had a higher rate of adverse events (16.3% vs. 9.2%, P=0.03). At 6 months, decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension resulted in lower mortality and higher rates of vegetative state, lower severe disability, and upper severe disability than medical care. The rates of moderate disability and good recovery were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; RESCUEicp Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN66202560 .).

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

The effect of decompressive craniectomy on clinical outcomes in patients with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension remains unclear. From 2004 through 2014, we randomly assigned 408 patients, 10 to 65 years of age, with traumatic brain injury and refractory elevated intracranial pressure (>25 mm Hg) to undergo decompressive craniectomy or receive ongoing medical care. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 6 months. The primary-outcome measure was analyzed with an ordinal method based on the proportional-odds model. If the model was rejected, that would indicate a significant difference in the GOS-E distribution, and results would be reported descriptively. The GOS-E distribution differed between the two groups (P<0.001). The proportional-odds assumption was rejected, and therefore results are reported descriptively. At 6 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 26.9% among 201 patients in the surgical group versus 48.9% among 188 patients in the medical group; vegetative state, 8.5% versus 2.1%; lower severe disability (dependent on others for care), 21.9% versus 14.4%; upper severe disability (independent at home), 15.4% versus 8.0%; moderate disability, 23.4% versus 19.7%; and good recovery, 4.0% versus 6.9%. At 12 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 30.4% among 194 surgical patients versus 52.0% among 179 medical patients; vegetative state, 6.2% versus 1.7%; lower severe disability, 18.0% versus 14.0%; upper severe disability, 13.4% versus 3.9%; moderate disability, 22.2% versus 20.1%; and good recovery, 9.8% versus 8.4%. Surgical patients had fewer hours than medical patients with intracranial pressure above 25 mm Hg after randomization (median, 5.0 vs. 17.0 hours; P<0.001) but had a higher rate of adverse events (16.3% vs. 9.2%, P=0.03). At 6 months, decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension resulted in lower mortality and higher rates of vegetative state, lower severe disability, and upper severe disability than medical care. The rates of moderate disability and good recovery were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; RESCUEicp Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN66202560 .).

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

The effect of decompressive craniectomy on clinical outcomes in patients with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension remains unclear. From 2004 through 2014, we randomly assigned 408 patients, 10 to 65 years of age, with traumatic brain injury and refractory elevated intracranial pressure (>25 mm Hg) to undergo decompressive craniectomy or receive ongoing medical care. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 6 months. The primary-outcome measure was analyzed with an ordinal method based on the proportional-odds model. If the model was rejected, that would indicate a significant difference in the GOS-E distribution, and results would be reported descriptively. The GOS-E distribution differed between the two groups (P<0.001). The proportional-odds assumption was rejected, and therefore results are reported descriptively. At 6 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 26.9% among 201 patients in the surgical group versus 48.9% among 188 patients in the medical group; vegetative state, 8.5% versus 2.1%; lower severe disability (dependent on others for care), 21.9% versus 14.4%; upper severe disability (independent at home), 15.4% versus 8.0%; moderate disability, 23.4% versus 19.7%; and good recovery, 4.0% versus 6.9%. At 12 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 30.4% among 194 surgical patients versus 52.0% among 179 medical patients; vegetative state, 6.2% versus 1.7%; lower severe disability, 18.0% versus 14.0%; upper severe disability, 13.4% versus 3.9%; moderate disability, 22.2% versus 20.1%; and good recovery, 9.8% versus 8.4%. Surgical patients had fewer hours than medical patients with intracranial pressure above 25 mm Hg after randomization (median, 5.0 vs. 17.0 hours; P<0.001) but had a higher rate of adverse events (16.3% vs. 9.2%, P=0.03). At 6 months, decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension resulted in lower mortality and higher rates of vegetative state, lower severe disability, and upper severe disability than medical care. The rates of moderate disability and good recovery were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; RESCUEicp Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN66202560 .).

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

The latest French Guidelines for the management in the first 24hours of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were published in 1998. Due to recent changes (intracerebral monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure management, treatment of raised intracranial pressure), an update was required. Our objective has been to specify the significant developments since 1998. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts for the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; francaise d'anesth&#xe9;sie et de r&#xe9;animation [SFAR]) in partnership with the Association de neuro-anesth&#xe9;sie-r&#xe9;animation de langue fran&#xe7;aise (ANARLF), The French Society of Emergency Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de m&#xe9;decine d'urgence (SFMU), the Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de neurochirurgie (SFN), the Groupe francophone de r&#xe9;animation et d'urgences p&#xe9;diatriques (GFRUP) and the Association des anesth&#xe9;sistes-r&#xe9;animateurs p&#xe9;diatriques d'expression fran&#xe7;aise (ADARPEF). The method used to elaborate these guidelines was the Grade&#xae; method. After two Delphi rounds, 32&#xa0;recommendations were formally developed by the experts focusing on the evaluation the initial severity of traumatic brain injury, the modalities of prehospital management, imaging strategies, indications for neurosurgical interventions, sedation and analgesia, indications and modalities of cerebral monitoring, medical management of raised intracranial pressure, management of multiple trauma with severe traumatic brain injury, detection and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsia, biological homeostasis (osmolarity, glycaemia, adrenal axis) and paediatric specificities.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

The effect of decompressive craniectomy on clinical outcomes in patients with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension remains unclear. From 2004 through 2014, we randomly assigned 408 patients, 10 to 65 years of age, with traumatic brain injury and refractory elevated intracranial pressure (>25 mm Hg) to undergo decompressive craniectomy or receive ongoing medical care. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 6 months. The primary-outcome measure was analyzed with an ordinal method based on the proportional-odds model. If the model was rejected, that would indicate a significant difference in the GOS-E distribution, and results would be reported descriptively. The GOS-E distribution differed between the two groups (P<0.001). The proportional-odds assumption was rejected, and therefore results are reported descriptively. At 6 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 26.9% among 201 patients in the surgical group versus 48.9% among 188 patients in the medical group; vegetative state, 8.5% versus 2.1%; lower severe disability (dependent on others for care), 21.9% versus 14.4%; upper severe disability (independent at home), 15.4% versus 8.0%; moderate disability, 23.4% versus 19.7%; and good recovery, 4.0% versus 6.9%. At 12 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 30.4% among 194 surgical patients versus 52.0% among 179 medical patients; vegetative state, 6.2% versus 1.7%; lower severe disability, 18.0% versus 14.0%; upper severe disability, 13.4% versus 3.9%; moderate disability, 22.2% versus 20.1%; and good recovery, 9.8% versus 8.4%. Surgical patients had fewer hours than medical patients with intracranial pressure above 25 mm Hg after randomization (median, 5.0 vs. 17.0 hours; P<0.001) but had a higher rate of adverse events (16.3% vs. 9.2%, P=0.03). At 6 months, decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension resulted in lower mortality and higher rates of vegetative state, lower severe disability, and upper severe disability than medical care. The rates of moderate disability and good recovery were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; RESCUEicp Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN66202560 .).

The aim of this guideline is to present current and comprehensive recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. A formal literature search of PubMed was performed through the end of August 2013. The writing committee met by teleconference to discuss narrative text and recommendations. Recommendations follow the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association methods of classifying the level of certainty of the treatment effect and the class of evidence. Prerelease review of the draft guideline was performed by 6 expert peer reviewers and by the members of the Stroke Council Scientific Oversight Committee and Stroke Council Leadership Committee. Evidence-based guidelines are presented for the care of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. Topics focused on diagnosis, management of coagulopathy and blood pressure, prevention and control of secondary brain injury and intracranial pressure, the role of surgery, outcome prediction, rehabilitation, secondary prevention, and future considerations. Results of new phase 3 trials were incorporated. Intracerebral hemorrhage remains a serious condition for which early aggressive care is warranted. These guidelines provide a framework for goal-directed treatment of the patient with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

The latest French Guidelines for the management in the first 24hours of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were published in 1998. Due to recent changes (intracerebral monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure management, treatment of raised intracranial pressure), an update was required. Our objective has been to specify the significant developments since 1998. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts for the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; francaise d'anesth&#xe9;sie et de r&#xe9;animation [SFAR]) in partnership with the Association de neuro-anesth&#xe9;sie-r&#xe9;animation de langue fran&#xe7;aise (ANARLF), The French Society of Emergency Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de m&#xe9;decine d'urgence (SFMU), the Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de neurochirurgie (SFN), the Groupe francophone de r&#xe9;animation et d'urgences p&#xe9;diatriques (GFRUP) and the Association des anesth&#xe9;sistes-r&#xe9;animateurs p&#xe9;diatriques d'expression fran&#xe7;aise (ADARPEF). The method used to elaborate these guidelines was the Grade&#xae; method. After two Delphi rounds, 32&#xa0;recommendations were formally developed by the experts focusing on the evaluation the initial severity of traumatic brain injury, the modalities of prehospital management, imaging strategies, indications for neurosurgical interventions, sedation and analgesia, indications and modalities of cerebral monitoring, medical management of raised intracranial pressure, management of multiple trauma with severe traumatic brain injury, detection and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsia, biological homeostasis (osmolarity, glycaemia, adrenal axis) and paediatric specificities.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

The effect of decompressive craniectomy on clinical outcomes in patients with refractory traumatic intracranial hypertension remains unclear. From 2004 through 2014, we randomly assigned 408 patients, 10 to 65 years of age, with traumatic brain injury and refractory elevated intracranial pressure (>25 mm Hg) to undergo decompressive craniectomy or receive ongoing medical care. The primary outcome was the rating on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) (an 8-point scale, ranging from death to "upper good recovery" [no injury-related problems]) at 6 months. The primary-outcome measure was analyzed with an ordinal method based on the proportional-odds model. If the model was rejected, that would indicate a significant difference in the GOS-E distribution, and results would be reported descriptively. The GOS-E distribution differed between the two groups (P<0.001). The proportional-odds assumption was rejected, and therefore results are reported descriptively. At 6 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 26.9% among 201 patients in the surgical group versus 48.9% among 188 patients in the medical group; vegetative state, 8.5% versus 2.1%; lower severe disability (dependent on others for care), 21.9% versus 14.4%; upper severe disability (independent at home), 15.4% versus 8.0%; moderate disability, 23.4% versus 19.7%; and good recovery, 4.0% versus 6.9%. At 12 months, the GOS-E distributions were as follows: death, 30.4% among 194 surgical patients versus 52.0% among 179 medical patients; vegetative state, 6.2% versus 1.7%; lower severe disability, 18.0% versus 14.0%; upper severe disability, 13.4% versus 3.9%; moderate disability, 22.2% versus 20.1%; and good recovery, 9.8% versus 8.4%. Surgical patients had fewer hours than medical patients with intracranial pressure above 25 mm Hg after randomization (median, 5.0 vs. 17.0 hours; P<0.001) but had a higher rate of adverse events (16.3% vs. 9.2%, P=0.03). At 6 months, decompressive craniectomy in patients with traumatic brain injury and refractory intracranial hypertension resulted in lower mortality and higher rates of vegetative state, lower severe disability, and upper severe disability than medical care. The rates of moderate disability and good recovery were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Medical Research Council and others; RESCUEicp Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN66202560 .).

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Primary intracranial pressure disorders include idiopathic intracranial hypertension and spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Remarkable advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of these 2entities in recent years. Therefore, the Spanish Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (GECSEN) deemed it necessary to prepare this consensus statement, including diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms to facilitate and improve the management of these disorders in clinical practice. This document was created by a committee of experts belonging to GECSEN, and is based on a systematic review of the literature, incorporating the experience of the participants, and establishes practical recommendations with levels of evidence and grades of recommendation.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes invasive monitoring to prevent secondary brain injuries. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor is the main measurement used to that intent but cerebral hypoxia can occur despite normal ICP. This study will assess whether the addition of a brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) monitor prevents more secondary injuries that will translate into improved functional outcome. Multicentre, randomised, blinded-endpoint comparative effectiveness study enrolling 1094 patients with severe TBI monitored with both ICP and PbtO2. Patients will be randomised to medical management guided by ICP alone (treating team blinded to PbtO2 values) or both ICP and PbtO2. Management is protocolised according to international guidelines in a tiered approach fashion to maintain ICP <22 mm Hg and PbtO2 >20 mm Hg. ICP and PbtO2 will be continuously recorded for a minimum of 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended performed at 180 (&#xb1;30) days by a blinded central examiner. Favourable outcome is defined according to a sliding dichotomy where the definition of favourable outcome varies according to baseline severity. Severity will be defined according to the probability of poor outcome predicted by the IMPACT core model. A large battery of secondary outcomes including granular neuropsychological and quality of life measures will be performed. This has been approved by Advarra Ethics Committee (Pro00030585). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications. ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03754114).

Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes invasive monitoring to prevent secondary brain injuries. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor is the main measurement used to that intent but cerebral hypoxia can occur despite normal ICP. This study will assess whether the addition of a brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) monitor prevents more secondary injuries that will translate into improved functional outcome. Multicentre, randomised, blinded-endpoint comparative effectiveness study enrolling 1094 patients with severe TBI monitored with both ICP and PbtO2. Patients will be randomised to medical management guided by ICP alone (treating team blinded to PbtO2 values) or both ICP and PbtO2. Management is protocolised according to international guidelines in a tiered approach fashion to maintain ICP <22 mm Hg and PbtO2 >20 mm Hg. ICP and PbtO2 will be continuously recorded for a minimum of 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended performed at 180 (&#xb1;30) days by a blinded central examiner. Favourable outcome is defined according to a sliding dichotomy where the definition of favourable outcome varies according to baseline severity. Severity will be defined according to the probability of poor outcome predicted by the IMPACT core model. A large battery of secondary outcomes including granular neuropsychological and quality of life measures will be performed. This has been approved by Advarra Ethics Committee (Pro00030585). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications. ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03754114).

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Globally, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring use in severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) is inconsistent and susceptible to resource limitations and clinical philosophies. For situations without monitoring, there is no published comprehensive management algorithm specific to identifying and treating suspected intracranial hypertension (SICH) outside of the one ad hoc Imaging and Clinical Examination (ICE) protocol in the Benchmark Evidence from South American Trials: Treatment of Intracranial Pressure (BEST:TRIP) trial. As part of an ongoing National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported project, a consensus conference involving 43 experienced Latin American Intensivists and Neurosurgeons who routinely care for sTBI patients without ICP monitoring, refined, revised, and augmented the original BEST:TRIP algorithm. Based on BEST:TRIP trial data and pre-meeting polling, 11 issues were targeted for development. We used Delphi-based methodology to codify individual statements and the final algorithm, using a group agreement threshold of 80%. The resulting CREVICE (Consensus REVised ICE) algorithm defines SICH and addresses both general management and specific treatment. SICH treatment modalities are organized into tiers to guide treatment escalation and tapering. Treatment schedules were developed to facilitate targeted management of disease severity. A decision-support model, based on the group's combined practices, is provided to guide this process. This algorithm provides the first comprehensive management algorithm for treating sTBI patients when ICP monitoring is not available. It is intended to provide a framework to guide clinical care and direct future research toward sTBI management. Because of the dearth of relevant literature, it is explicitly consensus based, and is provided solely as a resource (a "consensus-based curbside consult") to assist in treating sTBI in general intensive care units in resource-limited environments.

Management of traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes invasive monitoring to prevent secondary brain injuries. Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor is the main measurement used to that intent but cerebral hypoxia can occur despite normal ICP. This study will assess whether the addition of a brain tissue oxygenation (PbtO2) monitor prevents more secondary injuries that will translate into improved functional outcome. Multicentre, randomised, blinded-endpoint comparative effectiveness study enrolling 1094 patients with severe TBI monitored with both ICP and PbtO2. Patients will be randomised to medical management guided by ICP alone (treating team blinded to PbtO2 values) or both ICP and PbtO2. Management is protocolised according to international guidelines in a tiered approach fashion to maintain ICP <22 mm Hg and PbtO2 >20 mm Hg. ICP and PbtO2 will be continuously recorded for a minimum of 5 days. The primary outcome measure is the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended performed at 180 (&#xb1;30) days by a blinded central examiner. Favourable outcome is defined according to a sliding dichotomy where the definition of favourable outcome varies according to baseline severity. Severity will be defined according to the probability of poor outcome predicted by the IMPACT core model. A large battery of secondary outcomes including granular neuropsychological and quality of life measures will be performed. This has been approved by Advarra Ethics Committee (Pro00030585). Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published in peer-reviewed publications. ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT03754114).

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability due to trauma. Early administration of tranexamic acid may benefit patients with TBI. To determine whether tranexamic acid treatment initiated in the out-of-hospital setting within 2 hours of injury improves neurologic outcome in patients with moderate or severe TBI. Multicenter, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial at 20 trauma centers and 39 emergency medical services agencies in the US and Canada from May 2015 to November 2017. Eligible participants (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;1280) included out-of-hospital patients with TBI aged 15 years or older with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12 or less and systolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Three interventions were evaluated, with treatment initiated within 2 hours of TBI: out-of-hospital tranexamic acid (1 g) bolus and in-hospital tranexamic acid (1 g) 8-hour infusion (bolus maintenance group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;312), out-of-hospital tranexamic acid (2 g) bolus and in-hospital placebo 8-hour infusion (bolus only group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;345), and out-of-hospital placebo bolus and in-hospital placebo 8-hour infusion (placebo group; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;309). The primary outcome was favorable neurologic function at 6 months (Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended score >4 [moderate disability or good recovery]) in the combined tranexamic acid group vs the placebo group. Asymmetric significance thresholds were set at 0.1 for benefit and 0.025 for harm. There were 18 secondary end points, of which 5 are reported in this article: 28-day mortality, 6-month Disability Rating Scale score (range, 0 [no disability] to 30 [death]), progression of intracranial hemorrhage, incidence of seizures, and incidence of thromboembolic events. Among 1063 participants, a study drug was not administered to 96 randomized participants and 1 participant was excluded, resulting in 966 participants in the analysis population (mean age, 42 years; 255 [74%] male participants; mean Glasgow Coma Scale score, 8). Of these participants, 819 (84.8%) were available for primary outcome analysis at 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome occurred in 65% of patients in the tranexamic acid groups vs 62% in the placebo group (difference, 3.5%; [90% 1-sided confidence limit for benefit, -0.9%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.16; [97.5% 1-sided confidence limit for harm, 10.2%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.84). There was no statistically significant difference in 28-day mortality between the tranexamic acid groups vs the placebo group (14% vs 17%; difference, -2.9% [95% CI, -7.9% to 2.1%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.26), 6-month Disability Rating Scale score (6.8 vs 7.6; difference, -0.9 [95% CI, -2.5 to 0.7]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.29), or progression of intracranial hemorrhage (16% vs 20%; difference, -5.4% [95% CI, -12.8% to 2.1%]; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.16). Among patients with moderate to severe TBI, out-of-hospital tranexamic acid administration within 2 hours of injury compared with placebo did not significantly improve 6-month neurologic outcome as measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01990768.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the commonest neurological and neurosurgical cause of death and survivor disability among children and young adults. This review summarizes some of the important recent publications that have added to our understanding of the condition and advanced clinical practice. Targeted review of the literature on various aspects of paediatric TBI over the last 5 years. Recent literature has provided new insights into the burden of paediatric TBI and patient outcome across geographical divides and the severity spectrum. Although CT scans remain a standard, rapid sequence MRI without sedation has been increasingly used in the frontline. Advanced MRI sequences are also being used to better understand pathology and to improve prognostication. Various initiatives in paediatric and adult TBI have contributed regionally and internationally to harmonising research efforts in mild and severe TBI. Emerging data on advanced brain monitoring from paediatric studies and extrapolated from adult studies continues to slowly advance our understanding of its role. There has been growing interest in non-invasive monitoring, although the clinical applications remain somewhat unclear. Contributions of the first large scale comparative effectiveness trial have advanced knowledge, especially for the use of hyperosmolar therapies and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in severe paediatric TBI. Finally, the growth of large and even global networks is a welcome development that addresses the limitations of small sample size and generalizability typical of single-centre studies. Publications in recent years have contributed iteratively to progress in understanding paediatric TBI and how best to manage patients.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the commonest neurological and neurosurgical cause of death and survivor disability among children and young adults. This review summarizes some of the important recent publications that have added to our understanding of the condition and advanced clinical practice. Targeted review of the literature on various aspects of paediatric TBI over the last 5 years. Recent literature has provided new insights into the burden of paediatric TBI and patient outcome across geographical divides and the severity spectrum. Although CT scans remain a standard, rapid sequence MRI without sedation has been increasingly used in the frontline. Advanced MRI sequences are also being used to better understand pathology and to improve prognostication. Various initiatives in paediatric and adult TBI have contributed regionally and internationally to harmonising research efforts in mild and severe TBI. Emerging data on advanced brain monitoring from paediatric studies and extrapolated from adult studies continues to slowly advance our understanding of its role. There has been growing interest in non-invasive monitoring, although the clinical applications remain somewhat unclear. Contributions of the first large scale comparative effectiveness trial have advanced knowledge, especially for the use of hyperosmolar therapies and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in severe paediatric TBI. Finally, the growth of large and even global networks is a welcome development that addresses the limitations of small sample size and generalizability typical of single-centre studies. Publications in recent years have contributed iteratively to progress in understanding paediatric TBI and how best to manage patients.

The latest French Guidelines for the management in the first 24hours of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were published in 1998. Due to recent changes (intracerebral monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure management, treatment of raised intracranial pressure), an update was required. Our objective has been to specify the significant developments since 1998. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts for the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; francaise d'anesth&#xe9;sie et de r&#xe9;animation [SFAR]) in partnership with the Association de neuro-anesth&#xe9;sie-r&#xe9;animation de langue fran&#xe7;aise (ANARLF), The French Society of Emergency Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de m&#xe9;decine d'urgence (SFMU), the Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de neurochirurgie (SFN), the Groupe francophone de r&#xe9;animation et d'urgences p&#xe9;diatriques (GFRUP) and the Association des anesth&#xe9;sistes-r&#xe9;animateurs p&#xe9;diatriques d'expression fran&#xe7;aise (ADARPEF). The method used to elaborate these guidelines was the Grade&#xae; method. After two Delphi rounds, 32&#xa0;recommendations were formally developed by the experts focusing on the evaluation the initial severity of traumatic brain injury, the modalities of prehospital management, imaging strategies, indications for neurosurgical interventions, sedation and analgesia, indications and modalities of cerebral monitoring, medical management of raised intracranial pressure, management of multiple trauma with severe traumatic brain injury, detection and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsia, biological homeostasis (osmolarity, glycaemia, adrenal axis) and paediatric specificities.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

Acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering is a critical management priority in patients with moderate to severe acute TBI. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hypertonic saline (HTS) versus other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI. We conducted a systematic search from 2000 onward for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HTS vs. other ICP-lowering agents in patients with TBI of all ages. The primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 6&#xa0;months (PROSPERO CRD42022324370). Ten RCTs (760 patients) were included. Six RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis. There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on the GOS score (favorable vs. unfavorable) compared with other agents (risk ratio [RR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.40; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;406; 2 RCTs). There was no evidence of an effect of HTS on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.60-1.55; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;486; 5 RCTs) or total length of stay (RR 2.36, 95% CI -&#x2009;0.53 to 5.25; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;89; 3 RCTs). HTS was associated with adverse hypernatremia compared with other agents (RR 2.13, 95% CI 1.09-4.17; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;386; 2 RCTs). The point estimate favored a reduction in uncontrolled ICP with HTS, but this was not statistically significant (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.26-1.04; n&#x2009;=&#x2009;423; 3 RCTs). Most included RCTs were at unclear or high risk of bias because of lack of blinding, incomplete outcome data, and selective reporting. We found no evidence of an effect of HTS on clinically important outcomes and that HTS is associated with adverse hypernatremia. The included evidence was of low to very low certainty, but ongoing RCTs may help to the reduce this uncertainty. In addition, heterogeneity in GOS score reporting reflects the need for a standardized TBI core outcome set.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the commonest neurological and neurosurgical cause of death and survivor disability among children and young adults. This review summarizes some of the important recent publications that have added to our understanding of the condition and advanced clinical practice. Targeted review of the literature on various aspects of paediatric TBI over the last 5 years. Recent literature has provided new insights into the burden of paediatric TBI and patient outcome across geographical divides and the severity spectrum. Although CT scans remain a standard, rapid sequence MRI without sedation has been increasingly used in the frontline. Advanced MRI sequences are also being used to better understand pathology and to improve prognostication. Various initiatives in paediatric and adult TBI have contributed regionally and internationally to harmonising research efforts in mild and severe TBI. Emerging data on advanced brain monitoring from paediatric studies and extrapolated from adult studies continues to slowly advance our understanding of its role. There has been growing interest in non-invasive monitoring, although the clinical applications remain somewhat unclear. Contributions of the first large scale comparative effectiveness trial have advanced knowledge, especially for the use of hyperosmolar therapies and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in severe paediatric TBI. Finally, the growth of large and even global networks is a welcome development that addresses the limitations of small sample size and generalizability typical of single-centre studies. Publications in recent years have contributed iteratively to progress in understanding paediatric TBI and how best to manage patients.

The latest French Guidelines for the management in the first 24hours of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were published in 1998. Due to recent changes (intracerebral monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure management, treatment of raised intracranial pressure), an update was required. Our objective has been to specify the significant developments since 1998. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts for the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; francaise d'anesth&#xe9;sie et de r&#xe9;animation [SFAR]) in partnership with the Association de neuro-anesth&#xe9;sie-r&#xe9;animation de langue fran&#xe7;aise (ANARLF), The French Society of Emergency Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de m&#xe9;decine d'urgence (SFMU), the Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de neurochirurgie (SFN), the Groupe francophone de r&#xe9;animation et d'urgences p&#xe9;diatriques (GFRUP) and the Association des anesth&#xe9;sistes-r&#xe9;animateurs p&#xe9;diatriques d'expression fran&#xe7;aise (ADARPEF). The method used to elaborate these guidelines was the Grade&#xae; method. After two Delphi rounds, 32&#xa0;recommendations were formally developed by the experts focusing on the evaluation the initial severity of traumatic brain injury, the modalities of prehospital management, imaging strategies, indications for neurosurgical interventions, sedation and analgesia, indications and modalities of cerebral monitoring, medical management of raised intracranial pressure, management of multiple trauma with severe traumatic brain injury, detection and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsia, biological homeostasis (osmolarity, glycaemia, adrenal axis) and paediatric specificities.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes mortality and long-term disability among young adults and imposes a notable cost on the healthcare system. In addition to the first physical hit, secondary injury, which is associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP), is defined as biochemical, cellular, and physiological changes after the physical injury. Mannitol and Hypertonic saline (HTS) are the treatment bases for elevated ICP in TBI. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of HTS in the management of patients with TBI. This study was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed through six databases in February 2022, to find studies that evaluated the effects of HTS, on increased ICP. Meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Out of 1321 results, 8 studies were included in the systematic review, and 3 of them were included in the quantitative synthesis. The results of the meta-analysis reached a 35.9% (95% CI 15.0-56.9) reduction in ICP in TBI patients receiving HTS, with no significant risk of publication bias (t-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.38, df&#x2009;=&#x2009;2, p-value&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.73). The most common source of bias in our included studies was the transparency of blinding methods for both patients and outcome assessors. HTS can significantly reduce the ICP, which may prevent secondary injury. Also, based on the available evidence, HTS has relatively similar efficacy to Mannitol, which is considered the gold standard therapy for TBI, in boosting patients' neurological condition and reducing mortality rates.

This study reviews the effect of the timing of intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor placement on mortality and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searching 3 databases for English-language studies on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ICP monitoring up to November 2024. The PECO framework defined eligibility criteria, focusing on patients with TBI, timing of ICP placement, and various outcomes. Two authors independently reviewed studies and extracted data, assessing bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using R statistical software, applying random effects models for outcome comparisons. 4371 articles were screened; 7 studies with a total of 5884 patients were included. The analysis of mortality outcomes from 5 studies involving 5816 patients showed no significant difference between early (considering a 6-hour or 4-hour cutoff) and late ICP monitoring (relative risk: 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.56; 1.71, I2 = 70%). Subgroup analyses based on age, disease severity, and time cutoff also yielded nonsignificant results. Publication bias assessments indicated no significant bias (P = 0.31). Additionally, no significant differences were found in hospital length of stay or intensive care unit length of stay. The systematic review and meta-analysis revealed no significant differences in mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit length of stay between early and late ICP monitoring in TBI patients. The lack of definitive evidence underscores the need for further research to establish optimal timing and improve clinical outcomes in TBI management.

Managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) near to the cerebral autoregulation (CA)-guided "optimal" CPP (CPPopt) value is associated with improved outcome and might be useful to individualize care, but has never been prospectively evaluated. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of CA-guided CPP management in TBI patients requiring intracranial pressure monitoring and therapy (TBIicp patients). The CPPopt Guided Therapy: Assessment of Target Effectiveness (COGiTATE) parallel two-arm feasibility trial took place in four tertiary centers. TBIicp patients were randomized to either the Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guideline CPP target range (control group) or to the individualized CA-guided CPP targets (intervention group). CPP targets were guided by six times daily software-based alerts for up to 5 days. The primary feasibility end-point was the percentage of time with CPP concordant (&#xb1;5&#x2009;mm Hg) with the set CPP targets. The main secondary safety end-point was an increase in therapeutic intensity level (TIL) between the control and intervention group. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to the control and 32 patients to the intervention group. CPP in the intervention group was in the target range for 46.5% (interquartile range, 41.2-58) of the monitored time, significantly higher than the feasibility target specified in the published protocol (36%; p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for TIL or for other safety end-points. Conclusively, targeting an individual and dynamic CA-guided CPP is feasible and safe in TBIicp patients. This encourages a prospective trial powered for clinical outcomes.

The Monro-Kellie doctrine, introduced in the late 18th century, was a groundbreaking concept aimed at explaining the interactions between intracranial volume components. It has since become a cornerstone of brain physiology, now recognized as intracranial dynamics. Initially, the doctrine focused on physiological observations of the three incompressible components of the cranial vault: brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Over the centuries, advancements in neuroscience and medical technology have deepened our understanding of intracranial pressure (ICP) regulation, its pathophysiological implications and its role in neurological disorders. This revisitation of the Monro-Kellie doctrine examines how impairments in cerebrovascular autoregulation, brain compartmentalization and the glymphatic system interact in severely brain-injured patients, calling for new management strategies when facing these critical situations. Additionally, it reinforces the need for a holistic monitoring approach to improve early diagnostics and intervention. The evolution of ICP assessment has significantly shaped the management of brain trauma, spontaneous bleeding, ischemic stroke, and hydrocephalus. With the introduction of innovative tools such as brain ultrasound, automated pupillometry and noninvasive pressure waveform monitoring, ICP management is shifting toward more accessible and continuous evaluation strategies. This review explores how blending historical principles with cutting-edge innovations is transforming neuromonitoring and enhancing patient outcomes in critical care.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains the commonest neurological and neurosurgical cause of death and survivor disability among children and young adults. This review summarizes some of the important recent publications that have added to our understanding of the condition and advanced clinical practice. Targeted review of the literature on various aspects of paediatric TBI over the last 5 years. Recent literature has provided new insights into the burden of paediatric TBI and patient outcome across geographical divides and the severity spectrum. Although CT scans remain a standard, rapid sequence MRI without sedation has been increasingly used in the frontline. Advanced MRI sequences are also being used to better understand pathology and to improve prognostication. Various initiatives in paediatric and adult TBI have contributed regionally and internationally to harmonising research efforts in mild and severe TBI. Emerging data on advanced brain monitoring from paediatric studies and extrapolated from adult studies continues to slowly advance our understanding of its role. There has been growing interest in non-invasive monitoring, although the clinical applications remain somewhat unclear. Contributions of the first large scale comparative effectiveness trial have advanced knowledge, especially for the use of hyperosmolar therapies and cerebrospinal fluid drainage in severe paediatric TBI. Finally, the growth of large and even global networks is a welcome development that addresses the limitations of small sample size and generalizability typical of single-centre studies. Publications in recent years have contributed iteratively to progress in understanding paediatric TBI and how best to manage patients.

Acute treatment of cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure is a common issue in patients with neurological injury. Practical recommendations regarding selection and monitoring of therapies for initial management of cerebral edema for optimal efficacy and safety are generally lacking. This guideline evaluates the role of hyperosmolar agents (mannitol, HTS), corticosteroids, and selected non-pharmacologic therapies in the acute treatment of cerebral edema. Clinicians must be able to select appropriate therapies for initial cerebral edema management based on available evidence while balancing efficacy and safety. The Neurocritical Care Society recruited experts in neurocritical care, nursing, and pharmacy to create a panel in 2017. The group generated 16 clinical questions related to initial management of cerebral edema in various neurological insults using the PICO format. A research librarian executed a comprehensive literature search through July 2018. The panel screened the identified articles for inclusion related to each specific PICO question and abstracted necessary information for pertinent publications. The panel used GRADE methodology to categorize the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, or very low based on their confidence that the findings of each publication approximate the true effect of the therapy. The panel generated recommendations regarding initial management of cerebral edema in neurocritical care patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, bacterial meningitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. The available evidence suggests hyperosmolar therapy may be helpful in reducing ICP elevations or cerebral edema in patients with SAH, TBI, AIS, ICH, and HE, although neurological outcomes do not appear to be affected. Corticosteroids appear to be helpful in reducing cerebral edema in patients with bacterial meningitis, but not ICH. Differences in therapeutic response and safety may exist between HTS and mannitol. The use of these agents in these critical clinical situations merits close monitoring for adverse effects. There is a dire need for high-quality research to better inform clinicians of the best options for individualized care of patients with cerebral edema.

The latest French Guidelines for the management in the first 24hours of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were published in 1998. Due to recent changes (intracerebral monitoring, cerebral perfusion pressure management, treatment of raised intracranial pressure), an update was required. Our objective has been to specify the significant developments since 1998. These guidelines were conducted by a group of experts for the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; francaise d'anesth&#xe9;sie et de r&#xe9;animation [SFAR]) in partnership with the Association de neuro-anesth&#xe9;sie-r&#xe9;animation de langue fran&#xe7;aise (ANARLF), The French Society of Emergency Medicine (Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de m&#xe9;decine d'urgence (SFMU), the Soci&#xe9;t&#xe9; fran&#xe7;aise de neurochirurgie (SFN), the Groupe francophone de r&#xe9;animation et d'urgences p&#xe9;diatriques (GFRUP) and the Association des anesth&#xe9;sistes-r&#xe9;animateurs p&#xe9;diatriques d'expression fran&#xe7;aise (ADARPEF). The method used to elaborate these guidelines was the Grade&#xae; method. After two Delphi rounds, 32&#xa0;recommendations were formally developed by the experts focusing on the evaluation the initial severity of traumatic brain injury, the modalities of prehospital management, imaging strategies, indications for neurosurgical interventions, sedation and analgesia, indications and modalities of cerebral monitoring, medical management of raised intracranial pressure, management of multiple trauma with severe traumatic brain injury, detection and prevention of post-traumatic epilepsia, biological homeostasis (osmolarity, glycaemia, adrenal axis) and paediatric specificities.