Brain Death Synonyms Cerebrocirculatory Arrest Irreversible Brainstem Dysfunction 1. Description of the problem What every clinician should know Brain death is a state of irreversible cessation of brain activity. It is used to define the occurrence of death in a person who still has cardiorespiratory function. Brain death is a legally valid proclamation of death…
1. Description of the problem What every clinician needs to know Broadly classified as subtypes of stroke, subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage are commonly seen in the critical care unit. Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) Defined as a hemorrhage into the brain parenchyma; usually arises in the region of the small arteries that supply the basal ganglia, thalamus,…
Therapeutic Hypothermia Also known as: Hypothermia after cardiac arrest, hypothermia after hypoxic-ischemic brain injury Related conditions: Hypothermia for traumatic brain injury, intracranial pressure management, acute ischemic stroke 1. Description of the problem Therapeutic hypothermia is used as a neuroprotective measure following cardiac arrest. High-level evidence exists for this indication, and it is the standard of…
Spinal Cord Injury Also known as: Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI, SCI); Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Related conditions: Myelopathy 1. Description of the problem Acute spinal cord injury is defined as any insult to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent damage. The injury can result in motor, sensory or autonomic dysfunction. The injuries…
Coma Synonym Disorders of Consciousness Related Conditions Minimally conscious state Persistent vegetative state 1. Description of the problem What every clinician should know Coma is a condition in which a patient cannot be aroused to consciousness. Coma describes a clinical state that can be due to a variety of etiologies. Comatose patients have a depressed…
