Multiorgan Dysfunction After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Clinical Management

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major global health problem and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality following multisystem trauma. Extracranial organ dysfunction is common after severe TBI and significantly impacts clinical care and outcomes following injury. Despite this, extracranial organ dysfunction remains an understudied topic compared with organ dysfunction in other critical care paradigms. In this review, we will: 1) summarize the epidemiology of extracranial multiorgan dysfunction following severe TBI; 2) examine relevant mechanisms that may be involved in the development of multi-organ dysfunction following severe TBI; and 3) discuss clinical management strategies to care for these complex patients. CHEST 2021; 160(3):956-964

Automated summary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant global health issue with extracranial organ dysfunction being common after severe TBI, impacting clinical care and outcomes. However, extracranial organ dysfunction remains understudied compared to other critical care paradigms.