An external ventricular drain (EVD) may be placed in the brain of a patient in the neurointensive care unit in order to aid in patient management.
Indications for an external ventricular drain (EVD):
(1) relieve elevated intracranial pressure
(2) hydrocephalus
(3) drain an intraventricular hematoma
Contraindications:
(1) existing ventriculoperitoneal shunt
(2) meningitis
Complications:
(1) hemorrhage
(2) pneumocephalus
(3) overdrainage of cerebrospinal fluid
(4) trauma to cerebral structures
(5) bacterial ventriculitis
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Specialty: Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Neurology
