Sedation, Pain, and Delirium in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

The objectives of sedation/analgesia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are focused on preventing alterations in brain perfusion secondary to the injury through the control of intracranial pressure. Among the therapeutic options to prevent and treat intracranial hypertension, sedation/analgesia is paramount in such patients. However, despite flourished literature on the management of TBI patients, there is a paucity of literature reviews concerning the clinical management of pain, sedation, and delirium in these patients. This chapter provides a practical approach to the optimal use of sedative drugs, the best choice of strategies and pain monitoring, and the termination of sedation and analgesia in patients with severe TBI.