Effect of osmotic agents on regional cerebral blood flow in traumatic brain injury

Michael T. Scalfani, Rajat Dhar, Allyson R. Zazulia, Tom O. Videen, Michael N. Diringer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with considerable regional variation. Osmotic agents are used to reduce elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), improve cerebral perfusion pressure, and presumably improve CBF. Yet, osmotic agents have other physiologic effects that can influence CBF. We sought to determine the regional effect of osmotic agents on CBF when administered to treat intracranial hypertension. Materials and Methods: In 8 patients with acute TBI, we measured regional CBF with positron emission tomography before and 1 hour after administration of equi-osmolar 20% mannitol (1 g/kg) or 23.4% hypertonic saline (0.686 mL/kg) in regions with focal injury and baseline hypoperfusion (CBF <25 mL per 100 g/min). Results: The ICP fell (22.4 ± 5.1 to 15.7 ± 7.2 mm Hg, P = .007), and cerebral perfusion pressure rose (75.7 ± 5.9 to 81.9 ± 10.3 mm Hg, P = .03). Global CBF tended to rise (30.9 ± 3.7 to 33.1 ± 4.2 mL per 100 g/min, P = .07). In regions with focal injury, baseline flow was 25.7 ± 9.1 mL per 100 g/min and was unchanged; in hypoperfused regions (15% of regions), flow rose from 18.6 ± 5.0 to 22.4 ± 6.4 mL per 100 g/min (P < .001). Osmotic therapy reduced the number of hypoperfused brain regions by 40% (P < .001). Conclusion: Osmotic agents, in addition to lowering ICP, improve CBF to hypoperfused brain regions in patients with intracranial hypertension after TBI.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)526.e7-526.e12
JournalJournal of Critical Care
Volume27
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012

Keywords

  • Cerebral blood flow
  • Intracranial hypertension
  • Osmotic agents
  • Traumatic brain injury

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