Secondary insults during intrahospital transport of neurosurgical intensive care patients.

Secondary insults occurring after injury have been prospectively assessed in seven head-injured patients who required intrahospital transfer to a computerized tomography unit for re-evaluation of their brain injury. During transportation the intracranial pressure, blood pressure, and arterial blood gases were monitored. A significant increase in intracranial pressure was observed during transport (p < 0.01). The conclusion is that patients should be ventilated and have appropriate sedation and analgesia. This could provide some protection against secondary insults.