Monitoring in the intensive care unit

Neurologic illness is complex and often complicated by adverse effects on the cardiopulmonary system. Studies have shown improved outcomes for patients treated in a dedicated Neurologic Intensive Care Unit (NICU) likely secondary to specialized nursing care, neurointensivist teams, and protocolized management of complex neurologic illness [1]. The common types of hemodynamic monitors within any intensive care unit (ICU) include temperature monitoring, blood pressure measurements, electrocardiography, respiratory and ventilatory parameters, as well as measurements of volume status and cardiac output [2, 3]. Neuromonitoring within the NICU is conducted with transcranial Doppler, intracranial pressure (ICP) monitors, cerebral oxygen monitors, and electroencephalograms [4]. This discussion is presented in the context of a few case descriptions to exemplify the complexities of managing patients with severe neurologic disease.