BONATTI G.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to provide an update on the pathophysiology and treatment of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related complications on extracranial organs. RECENT FINDINGS: Extracranial complications are common and influence the outcome from TBI. Significant improvements in outcome in a sizeable proportion of...

Most patients with ischaemic stroke are managed on the ward or in specialty stroke units, but a significant number requires higher-acuity care and, consequently, admission to the intensive care unit. Mechanical ventilation is frequently performed in these patients due to swallowing dysfunction and airway or respiratory system compromise....

Advance healthcare directives are legal documents, in which the patient, foreseeing a potential loss of capacity and autonomy, makes in advance decisions regarding future care and, in particular, end-of-life arrangements. In Italy, advance healthcare directives are regulated by the Law 219 of 22 December 2017. Objectives of the study were: i)...

Neuropatients often require invasive mechanical ventilation (MV). Ideal ventilator settings and respiratory targets in neuro patients are unclear. Current knowledge suggests maintaining protective tidal volumes of 6–8 ml/kg of predicted body weight in neuropatients. This approach may reduce the rate of pulmonary complications, although it...