Reduction of Intracranial Pressure

Intracranial pressures of >20 mm Hg must be treated.  There are several approaches that may aid patients suffering from increased intracranial pressures:¹

• Elevation of the head of the bed to 30^o, which will maximise venous drainage
• Hyperventilation to maintain the PaCO₂ at 27–30 mm Hg, which causes cerebral vasoconstriction and a reduction in cerebral blood volume
• Hyperosmolar agents to permit the movement of water from brain tissue into the intravascular compartment
• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

Reference:
1. Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practices of Infectious Diseases. Elsevier 6th ed. USA: 2005:1083–1126.