Anesthesia Considerations 

Prophylactic hypothermia

 

• Hypothermia may have neuroprotective effects & can reduce ICP

  • Risks: coagulopathy, immunosuppression, cardiac dysrhythmias, death

• Prophylactic = administered early after injury & prior to ↑ ICP

• Therapeutic = used as tx for refractory ↑ ICP

• Early (w/in 2.5 hrs), short-term (48 hrs) prophylaxis is not recommended

 

Adapted from Guidelines for the Management of Severe TBI, 4th Ed., September 2016, Brain Trauma Foundation.