Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Care of the Critically Ill Neuroscience Patient

Hemodynamic monitoring in the care of the critically ill neuroscience patient provides information that assists the clinician in minimizing secondary neuronal injury. Whereas no technology replaces the critical care nurse’s physical assessment, hemodynamic and neurological monitoring provides additional data beyond what is possible with the clinical examination alone. If neurological technology, such as intracranial pressure monitoring, is not available, hemodynamic monitoring along with the neurological examination provides limited but useful information essential to minimizing secondary neuronal injury. The use of hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill neuroscience patients is best exemplified in the management of cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although improved outcomes have not been scientifically substantiated, multimodality monitoring of intracranial dynamics and systemic hemodynamics and manipulation of these parameters during hypertensive hypervolemic hemodilution therapy may lessen the incidence of cerebral infarction secondary to vasospasm. Monitoring systemic hemodynamics and intracranial dynamics simultaneously assists in prevention, prompt recognition, and effective treatment of neurological deterioration.