A 50-year-old man on ICU has a severe traumatic brain injury with raised ICP. The team uses IV thiopentone (thiopental) as a third-tier ICP-lowering s...

Question

A 50-year-old man on ICU has a severe traumatic brain injury with raised ICP. The team uses IV thiopentone (thiopental) as a third-tier ICP-lowering strategy (barbiturate coma). What is the main haemodynamic risk of thiopentone infusion?

Accepted Answer

Severe hypotension from myocardial depression and vasodilation, potentially worsening CPP if not countered with vasopressors

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Cardiac arrhythmias

Answer

Pulmonary hypertension

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Barbiturate Coma

A 50-year-old man on ICU has a severe traumatic brain injury with raised ICP. The team uses IV thiopentone (thiopental) as a third-tier ICP-lowering strategy (barbiturate coma). What is the main haemodynamic risk of thiopentone infusion?