Table 6.
Effect of general prophylactic measures and acute interventions on outcome
| Treatment of intracranial hypertension | Effect on neurological outcome | Effect on mortality |
|---|---|---|
| General prophylactic measures | ||
| Intubation and mechanical ventilation | Unclear | Unclear |
| BP – CPP optimization | Benefit | Benefit |
| Body positioning | Unclear | Unclear |
| Temperature control | Benefit | Benefit |
| Prophylactic hypothermia | No benefit | No benefit |
| Glycemic control | Benefit | Benefit |
| Seizure prophylaxis | Unclear | Unclear |
| Acute interventions | ||
| Hyperventilation | Unclear | Unclear |
| Hyperosmolar therapy | Unclear | Unclear |
| Sedation and analgesia | Unclear | Unclear |
| Barbiturates | Unclear | Unclear |
| Therapeutic hypothermia | Possible benefit | Possible benefit |
| Corticosteroids | No benefita | No benefita |
| Resection of mass lesions | Unclear | Probable benefit |
| Decompressive craniectomy | Unclear | Probable benefit |
| CSF drainage | Unclear | Unclear |
| Progesterone | No benefit | No benefit |
aExcept abscesses or neoplasms associated with vasogenic edema. BP: Blood pressure, CPP: Cerebral pressure perfusion, CSF: Cerebrospinal fluid