Raised intracranial pressure associated with hypercarbia after tourniquet release

Abstract

We report a case of acute raised intracranial pressure soon after deflation of arterial tourniquets in a patient with limb injuries as well as a severe head injury. The likely mechanism was release of carbon dioxide into the circulation as the ischaemic limbs were re-perfused.

Key Words:

• Carbon dioxide
• hypercarbia
• limb ischaemia
• multiple injuries
• raised intracranial pressure