Management of acute brain injury and associated respiratory issues.

Acute brain injury, in the form of trauma, stroke, or spontaneous hemorrhage, occurs commonly and in all age groups. Although the management of these conditions differs considerably, certain physiologic principles are shared by all and are useful in guiding the management of the most severely injured patients. This article reviews basic cerebral physiology and describes the links between physiology and management principles, emphasizing subjects relevant to the respiratory management of patients with acute brain injury.