What Really Kills the Brain After TBI (and How to Stop It)

Описание: Learn how paramedics can protect the brain after TBI flow using simple, evidence-based steps.

When managing traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the field, most clinicians think it’s just “scoop and run.” But what if a few simple, evidence-based actions could actually protect the brain before you reach the hospital?

In this episode I will break down a prehospital TBI protocol you can apply with standard ambulance equipment — no fancy gear or advanced drugs needed.

Learn how to:
🧠 Maintain Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) to preserve Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF)
💨 Control ETCO₂ to prevent CO₂-related spikes in intracranial pressure
🔥 Keep your patient warm to improve cerebral perfusion
💉 Provide early analgesia to reduce stress and ICP
🫁 Master the SALAD airway technique for blood-filled or contaminated airways

I will also explore the key physiology behind the equation:
CBF = (MAP – ICP) ÷ CVR — and why understanding it can change your practice.

Whether you’re a paramedic student, critical care clinician, or pre-hospital educator, this video gives you the physiology, practical steps, and airway tricks to truly buy the brain some time.



References:
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Hall JE, Hall ME. Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology. 15th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021. Chapter 60, Cerebral Blood Flow, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Brain Metabolism; p. 767–779.
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