title: The effect of lung-protective permissive hypercapnia in intracerebral pressure in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and ARDS. A retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lung protective ventilation has a beneficial effect in treating patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). An effect of this ventilation modality is hypercapnia, which leads to increased cerebral blood flow. Since increased cerebral blood flow can induce brain oedema the question arises whether lung protective ventilation can be applied in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analysed 12 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage who were ventilated with lung protective ventilation since they suffered of ARDS. Tidal volume was 5-8 ml/kg body weight, and positive end expiratory pressure was 10-15 cm H₂O. Intracerebral pressure was continuously measured by intracerebral probe.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite of hypercapnia (pCO₂ 50-60 mmHg) there was no increase of the intracerebral pressure. Lung protective ventilation could be safely performed in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with higher Hunt and Hess grades of subarachnoid haemorrhage who are predominantly intubated and ventilated and most of them suffer from ARDS can receive lung protective ventilation. In our small patient collective, the occurring hypercapnia did not influence (increase) the intracerebral pressure.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgical Department, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Kiel, Germany. opticdisc@aol.com
authors.forename: Athanasios K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Petridis
authors.forename: Alexandros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doukas
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kienke
authors.forename: Homajoun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maslehaty
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahvash
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: Hubertus Maximilian
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mehdorn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology