Chapter 20 – Hypercapnia

The increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2) produces changes at metabolic, cellular, systemic, and brain levels. Hypercapnia provokes an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and intracranial pressure (ICP). All these responses can be of special concern in neurosurgical or neurocritical patients, as it worsens the expected outcome. It is mandatory to promptly diagnose and treat hypercapnia occurrences, especially in this population.