Hypertonic Saline vs. Mannitol for Elevated Intercranial Pressure

Summary

This study examines the role of osmotic agents in controlling brain swelling in brain injured individuals. Two osmotic agents -- mannitol and hypertonic saline -- are in common use, and they will be compared in the context of a randomized clinical trial. The goal is to determine if these agent differ in their ability to control episodes of brain swelling.

Timeline

Start

2010-04

Primary completion

2010-11

Completion

2010-11

Publications

• Background Zornow MH. Hypertonic saline as a safe and efficacious treatment of intracranial hypertension. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 1996 Apr;8(2):175-7. doi: 10.1097/00008506-199604000-00021. No abstract available.
• Background Doyle JA, Davis DP, Hoyt DB. The use of hypertonic saline in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2001 Feb;50(2):367-83. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200102000-00030. No abstract available.
• Background Qureshi AI, Suarez JI. Use of hypertonic saline solutions in treatment of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension. Crit Care Med. 2000 Sep;28(9):3301-13. doi: 10.1097/00003246-200009000-00032.
• Background Gunnar W, Jonasson O, Merlotti G, Stone J, Barrett J. Head injury and hemorrhagic shock: studies of the blood brain barrier and intracranial pressure after resuscitation with normal saline solution, 3% saline solution, and dextran-40. Surgery. 1988 Apr;103(4):398-407.
• Background Ogden AT, Mayer SA, Connolly ES Jr. Hyperosmolar agents in neurosurgical practice: the evolving role of hypertonic saline. Neurosurgery. 2005 Aug;57(2):207-15; discussion 207-15. doi: 10.1227/01.neu.0000166533.79031.d8.

Drugs

Indications