ABSTRACT
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. It is essential to predict the development of secondary injury since finding effective prevention of these is imperative in TBI management. Initial management decisions for TBI and spinal cord injury impact both short- and long-term outcomes. The ultimate goal is neuroprotection and hemodynamic stability to prevent secondary injury. Understanding TBI in the presence of hemorrhagic shock affects treatment parameters and requires fluid resuscitation with the additional challenge of hemodynamic stability. Careful monitoring aids in protecting the injured brain from additional insults, and continued investigation into preventing secondary injury after neurotrauma is the focus of many clinical trials and animal studies. Due to the complexity of neurotrauma patients in the ICU, it is no surprise that new drugs and treatment options are slow to be accepted as beneficial or proven efficacious in decreasing mortality. Continued efforts from both basic science and clinical studies will provide continued support for advancing treatment in anesthesia for neurotrauma.
