Options for non-invasive ICP monitoring in patients with fulminant hepatic failure

Options for non-invasive ICP monitoring in patients with fulminant hepatic failure

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is an important cause of death following acute liver failure (ALF). While invasive ICP monitoring (IICPM) is most accurate, the presence of coagulopathy increases bleeding risk in ALF. Our objective was to evaluate the accuracy of three noninvasive ultrasound-based measures for the detection of concurrent ICP elevation in ALF—optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) using optic nerve ultrasound (ONUS); middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (PI) on transcranial Doppler (TCD); and ICP calculated from TCD flow velocities (ICPtcd) using the estimated cerebral perfusion pressure (CPPe) technique .

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