Ans: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic
specifically used to reduce ICP.
- Intracranial pressure (ICP) is the
pressure exerted by fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside
the skull and on the brain tissue. Such increased intracranial
pressure is said to be intracranial hypertension (ICH). Mannitol is
an osmotic diuretic that is metabolically inert in humans. It is
FDA approved for the treatment of increased intracranial
pressure.
- Mannitol is the most commonly used
hyperosmolar agent for the treatment of intracranial hypertension.
Mannitol works primarily by increasing plasma osmotic pressure,
which leads to brain dehydration and a decrease in ICP, with
consequent improvement in cerebral perfusion.
- Mannitol also reduces ICP by
reducing cerebral parenchymal cell water, total effect takes 20-30
minutes. Eventually Mannitol enters CSF and increases ICP.