Dr. Jon Rosenberg, an assistant professor at Westchester Medical Center and neurocritical care expert, joins to tackle the surprising flexibility of prone positioning for patients with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). He debunks the myth that elevated ICP is an absolute contraindication to proning. The discussion emphasizes careful patient selection and shares successful case examples, especially during COVID-19. Practical tips for ensuring cerebral perfusion while managing potential complications are also highlighted, making this a must-listen for critical care professionals.
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Elevated ICP and Proning
Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is often considered a contraindication to proning, but it's more of a relative caution.
Neuro ICUs now prone patients with elevated ICP, especially after managing both respiratory failure and neurological conditions during the pandemic.
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Patient Selection for Proning
Consider proning for patients with elevated ICP and respiratory failure, including those with global cerebral edema or focal lesions.
Hemodynamic instability and morbid obesity are bigger concerns than ICP itself when considering proning.
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Theoretical Concerns with Proning
Proning can make neurological exams difficult due to sedation and patient positioning.
It can also compress jugular veins, obstruct CSF flow, and potentially increase ICP.
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Today we have a mini-episode / clinical pearl. We previously discussed the PROSEVA trial and the evidence for prone positioning in ARDS. In that trial, patients with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) were excluded. We are joined now by Dr. Jon Rosenberg, a neuro intensivist, to discuss his how prone positioning can still be employed for patients with neurologic injuries and elevated ICP.
Meet Our Guest
Dr. Jon Rosenberg is an assistant professor of neurology and neurosurgery at Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College. He’s also the associate program director of the Neurocritical Care Fellowship at Westchester Medical Center and a frequent contributor to the Neurocritical Care Society podcast.
Key Learning Points
Elevated Intracranial Pressure (ICP) and Proning: A Common Misconception
Elevated ICP is often considered a contraindication to proning, but this is more of a relative caution rather than an absolute contraindication.
Many neuro ICUs have successfully proned patients with elevated ICP, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, when critical care units had to manage both respiratory failure and neurological conditions simultaneously.
Patient Selection for Proning with Elevated ICP
Most patients with elevated ICP can still be proned, including those with:
Global cerebral edema (e.g., post-anoxic brain injury, liver failure)
Situations where proning might be more concerning:
Severe hemodynamic instability (multi-pressor shock)
Morbid obesity (e.g., >300 lbs), where physically flipping the patient is a major challenge
Theoretical Concerns with Proning in Elevated ICP
Loss of neurological exam access (sedation + flipped position makes pupil and motor exam difficult)
Jugular venous compression (especially if the head is turned to one side)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction, depending on the lesion
Risk of increased ICP if venous outflow is impaired or head positioning is not optimized
Best Practices for Proning Patients with Elevated ICP
Patients with invasive ICP monitors vs. without monitors:
If possible, placing an ICP monitor (EVD or parenchymal bolt) before proning provides better guidance.
Without a monitor, providers must rely on other practices like maintaining strict MAP goals and sodium targets, and indirect signs of increased ICP.
Positioning considerations:
Keep the head midline to prevent jugular venous compression.
If head positioning is not neutral, place the dominant/internal jugular facing upward to maintain venous drainage.
Maintain the head of the bed elevated even while prone (reverse Trendelenburg positioning).
Hemodynamic management:
Target a higher MAP (e.g., 70–75 mmHg, sometimes 75–80 mmHg) to ensure adequate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) if there is no ICP monitor
Avoid hypotension, as MAP – ICP = CPP, and low MAP could critically reduce cerebral perfusion.
A normal intracranial pressure is 7 – 15 mmHg
The recommended CPP is between 60 – 70 mmHg
Sedation & Sodium Management:
Consider deep sedation (RASS -5) to reduce metabolic demand and intracranial blood volume.
Consider keeping sodium >145 mmol/L prophylactically to mitigate brain swelling if no ICP monitor in place
When to Reconsider Proning (i.e. when to supinate)
If a patient’s ICP spikes significantly (e.g., from 20 to 60 mmHg) despite medical management (hypertonic saline, sedation, paralysis, etc.).
If new signs of neurological deterioration emerge (e.g., changes in pupil exam once patient is repositioned).
Hemodynamic instability that is unmanageable in the prone position.
Literature and Future Considerations
Small case series have demonstrated success in proning patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
While more formal research is needed, the neurocritical care community has begun embracing proning for neuro patients, provided that proper precautions are taken.
Bottom Line
Proning is not an absolute contraindication for patients with elevated ICP—it can be done safely with proper monitoring, patient selection, and precautions.
Having an ICP monitor makes the process more controlled and allows clinicians to adjust treatment in real time.
Key considerations: Maintain cerebral perfusion, optimize head positioning, monitor hemodynamics, and have a plan for reversing if ICP becomes unmanageable.
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