Emergency providers routinely care for neurologically injured patients, such as those with a SAH or TBI.
Many of these patients will require airway management. In these patients, it is important to minimize any increase in ICP, as this can adversely effect cerebral perfusion pressure.
When intubating the neurocritical care patient, consider a dose of fentanyl (2 to 5 mcg/kg) prior to intubation. This has been shown to decrease the sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy.
References
Bucher J, Koyfman A. Intubation of the neurologically injured patient. J Emerg Med 2016; 49:920-7.
