Catastrophic brain injury may occur as a result of:
(1) subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to rupture of a berry aneurysm
(2) stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage
(3) artieral dissection
Catastrophic eye injury may include:
(1) intra-retinal hemorrhage
(2) retinal detachment
During maximal exertion intra-ocular and intracranial pressures may rise to very high levels. This may be associated with a decline in cerebral blood flow.
Other factors that may contribute to catastrophic injury:
(1) trauma
(2) medications, especially anticoagulants
(3) underlying heart disease or cardiac arrhythmias
(4) atherosclerosis of carotid or intracranial arteries
(5) over-exertion for level of physical development
