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Alteration of cardiopulmonary function after severe head injury
Critical Care volume 13, Article number: P83 (2009)
Introduction
It is very hard to achieve optimal water balance in severe head injury (SHI) patients (Glasgow coma score ≤ 8). Cardiopulmonary complications are common after SHI: neurogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac failure, and so on [1–4]. In this study we present the alteration of cardiopulmonary function on pulse contour analysis calibrated by transpulmonary thermodilution (PiCCO-plus) monitoring after SHI.
Methods
Plasma catecholamines, natriuretic polypeptides, thrombomodulin and D-dimer of nine patients were measured immediately after SHI. The cardiopulmonary functions of nine consecutive patients were monitored by PiCCO-plus daily during a week after SHI.
Results
Noradrenalin, dopamine and brain natriuretic peptide concentrations were significantly high during the entire study period. Significantly higher elevations of plasma thrombomodulin and D-dimer concentrations were also observed after SHI. The intrathoracic blood volume was maintained in spite of systemic hypovolemia, and this fluid redistribution caused hydrostatic fluid retention in lung tissues on PiCCO-plus monitoring after SHI. See Figures 1 and 2.
Conclusion
Persistent catecholamine release and the different sensitivity of blood vessels to catecholamine cause the blood volume redistribution: systemic hypovolemia and hydrostatic pulmonary edema. The excess cardiac preload due to catecholamine release leads to brain natriuretic peptide release resulting in natriuresis.
References
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Isotani, E., Otomo, Y. & Ohno, K. Alteration of cardiopulmonary function after severe head injury. Crit Care 13 (Suppl 1), P83 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7247
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7247