What is an ICP treatment?

ICP treatment refers to treatment for elevated intracranial pressure, which is increased pressure inside the skull that can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical care. Normal intracranial pressure is 5 to 15 mmHg in adults, and treatment is typically started when ICP exceeds 20 to 22 mmHg sustained. ICP treatment follows a stepwise protocol in neurocritical care. First level treatments include elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees, keeping the neck straight to improve venous drainage, providing adequate sedation and pain control, controlling fever, and ensuring normal carbon dioxide levels through ventilation. Second level treatments include osmotic therapy with mannitol or hypertonic saline to draw fluid out of the brain, draining cerebrospinal fluid through an external ventricular drain or EVD, and using hyperventilation temporarily to lower CO2. Third level treatments for refractory high ICP include induced coma with propofol or barbiturates, aggressive cooling, and decompressive craniectomy which is surgical removal of part of the skull to allow the brain to swell. Underlying causes such as brain tumors, hematomas, hydrocephalus, or infections must also be treated. ICP treatment is performed only in intensive care units with invasive ICP monitoring and requires a neurosurgical team. This information is educational and not medical advice.