Hypertonic Saline in Elevated Intracranial Pressure: Past, Present, and Future

Hypertonic Saline (HS) has been a proven and effective therapy and a safe alternative to mannitol in patients with increase intracranial pressure (ICP). We hereby present a case of 25-year-old women with intracranial bleed secondary to right parietal arteriovenous malformation. Patient underwent surgery for evacuation of hematoma and resection of arteriovenous malformation. Post- operative course was complicated by recurrent episodes of elevated ICP. She received total of 17 doses of 23.4% HS and 30 doses of mannitol with good outcome. Despite reluctance from some clinicians to use HS, hypertonic saline seems to be a safe and effective therapy.

Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine - December 9, 2014 Category: Intensive Care Authors: Surani, S., Lockwood, G., Macias, M. Y., Guntupalli, B., Varon, J. Tags: Analytic Reviews Source Type: research