Assessment and management of coagulopathy in neurocritical care

Abstract

Coagulopathy may be defined as the loss of balance between hemostatic and fibrinolytic processes resulting in excessive bleeding, intravascular thrombosis or abnormalities in coagulation testing. It is frequently encountered across a wide range of conditions seen in the neurocritical care unit and can contribute to poor outcomes. Early recognition and appropriate management are key, with traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage presenting unique challenges to the neurointensivist. We will discuss techniques to assess coagulopathies as well as treatment strategies for the brain injured patient.