Is there a correlation between the use of 3% hypertonic saline and reduction of intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients? — Tracy Stankan, MSN, CRNP, Windber, Pa.
Several TBI resuscitation protocols were found to include IV infusion of hypertonic saline. The concentration of hypertonic saline ranged from 1.8% to 7.5%, with 3% being common. The resultant decrease in ICP as well as fluid-volume restoration is widely recognized. Maintenance of a plasma osmolality of 310 mOsm/kg to 320 mOsm/kg is adequate for the desired cerebral vasoconstrictive effect in TBI. — Sherril Sego, FNP-C, DNP (173-1)
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