Respiratory Management in Neurological Intensive Care

Abstract

Artificial ventilation is the most important management in the intensive care and neurological intensive care units. Respiratory management (including airway management) is the top priority particulars of the intensive care ABCD protocol and must be universally executed regardless of disease. It is important to maintain proper oxygenation and ventilation to prevent excessive breathing work. In particular, regarding ventilation (CO₂) management, it is important not to normalize PaCO₂ level but to aim for optimization of blood pH. When intracranial pressure is increased, appropriate management of ventilation is given top priority, and in cases of emergency, hyperventilation management is performed as a temporary measure. It is important that artificial ventilatory management is to ensure short duration of the procedure. To achieve the same, standard, weaning methods such as daily interruption of sedatives (DIS) and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) should be followed.