Respiratory care.
OBJECTIVE
Neurosurgical patients frequently develop respiratory complications, adversely affecting neurologic outcome and survival. The review summarizes current literature and management of respiratory complications associated with brain injury.


RESULTS
Respiratory complications are commonly associated with traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Lung-protective ventilation with reduced tidal volumes improves outcome in acute lung injury, and should be applied to neurosurgical patients in the absence of increased intracranial pressure. Weaning from the mechanical ventilation should be initiated as soon as possible, although the role of neurological status in the weaning process is not clear. Prevention of pneumonia and aspiration improves survival. In patients with difficult weaning, early bedside percutaneous tracheostomy should be considered.
Further studies are warranted to elucidate an optimal oxygenation and ventilation in brain-injured patients, weaning strategies, predictors of the failed weaning and extubation, respiratory support in patients with difficulties to wean, and early tracheostomy.
Rozet
Irene
I
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356540, Seattle, WA 98195-6540, USA. irozet@u.washington.edu
Domino
Karen B
KB
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014139:Tracheostomy