- See: respiratory alkalosis:
- Discussion:
- induction of hypocapnia is probably the most frequently used technique
to reduce intracranial pressure;
- lowering partial pressure of CO2 to 26-28 mm Hg (3.5-3.7 kPa)
reduces cerebral blood flow & thus lowers intracranial pressure;
- even w/o ability to measure intracranial pressure, inducing hyper-
ventilation may be crucial to improving intracranial pressure during
emergency room period;
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Barbiturates and hyperventilation during intracranial hypertension.
Lack of relevance of the Bohr effect in optimally ventilated patients with
acute brain trauma.
Muizelaar JP, Marmarou A, Ward JD, et al. Adverse effects
of prolonged hyperventilation in patients with severe head injury: a
randomized clinical trial. J Neurosurg 1991;75:731-9.