Neurological Emergencies in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Neurological emergencies present a unique challenge in the intensive care unit, requiring rapid evaluation and treatment. There is a complex interplay in critically ill patients, wherein illness affects the brain and the brain can, in turn, affect the illness, making diagnosis and management challenging. In this review, we discuss the diagnosis and management of common neurological issues that may be encountered in the intensive care unit, including elevated intracranial pressure, traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, status epilepticus, neurological complications of critical illness, neuromuscular respiratory failure, and neurological complications in the immunocompromised.