Critical Care Procedures

Neurocritical care patients undergo frequent bedside invasive procedures during their acute critical illness to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) and other organ system injuries that may critically effect survival or long-term organ system function. These procedures have specific indications, contraindications, and complications that affect the balance between risk and benefit. In this chapter, we describe these features and highlight the recommended techniques for the most commonly performed procedures.