Abstract
Background The study was conducted to determine the effects of isolated acute intracranial hypertension
(AICH) on extracerebral organs.
Design A total of 14 mechanically ventilated pigs were randomized to two groups of seven
each: (1) control and (2) AICH.
Methods AICH was induced by inflating an intracranial balloon catheter. The inflation volume
was adjusted to keep intracranial pressure between 30 and 40 cm H2O. Hemodynamics, gas-exchange, and global oxygen delivery parameters were observed
over a 4-hour period. At the end of the 4-hour period, tissue samples of heart, lungs,
liver, and kidneys were collected and histologically graded for inflammation, edema,
and cell damage (necrosis) using semiquantitative scores.
Results Animals with AICH had increased heart rate and cardiac output, and higher scores
for inflammation, edema, and necrosis in heart, lung, kidney, and liver tissues (all
p < 0.05). Peripheral and mixed-venous oxygen saturations were unaffected.
Conclusions Isolated AICH induces injury to multiple extracerebral organs, even in the absence
of hypoperfusion or hypoxemia.
Keywords
acute intracranial hypertension - multiple organ dysfunction - organ cross-talk
