Gastrointestinal Emergencies

Patients with critical neurologic injuries are at increased risk for potentially life-threatening gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary conditions. Neurointensivists must recognize and be familiar with these conditions to ensure early and proper interventions in order to reduce complications. The most common and most severe of these conditions including gastrointestinal hemorrhage, intestinal ischemia, acute ascending cholangitis, and acute liver failure are discussed in this chapter.