The Effects of Increased Intracranial Pressure on the Pulmonary Circulation in Relation to Pulmonary Edema

Abstract

Sudden elevation of intracranial pressure raises not only the systemic but also the pulmonary intravascular pressures, on occasion, sufficiently to result in pulmonary edema. At least two mechanisms are concerned, that of bradycardia, and that of left ventricular failure. Evidence is presented that interruption of vagal inflow temporarily abolishes the first mechanism. These observations are considered in relation to the clinical problem of head injury.