Acute brain injury (ABI) is a serious condition that can cause a dangerous increase in pressure inside the skull (called intracranial pressure, or ICP), which can harm the brain. Patients with ABI often need a central venous catheter (CVC) - a small, flexible tube placed into a large neck vein - to receive medications, fluids, and to monitor their circulation. However, placing this catheter might temporarily affect brain pressure, either because of the patient's head position during the procedure or the procedure itself. The effect size and duration are not yet known.
The purpose of this observational study is to understand how placing a CVC in the neck (internal jugular vein) affects brain pressure in patients with acute brain injury. The study will closely monitor changes in brain pressure, blood flow, and oxygen levels in the brain during and immediately after the procedure. The study will also examine whether the brain's ability to regulate its own blood flow (called cerebral autoregulation) influences these changes.
This prospective, observational study will enroll approximately 100-120 adult patients with ABI who are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and need a CVC as part of their regular medical care. The study will be conducted in two large hospitals in China. There is no experimental treatment or intervention; only observation and data recording during the standard medical procedure will be performed.
The main goal is to measure how brain pressure changes during CVC insertion. The study will also look at how long any changes last and whether the brain's blood flow regulation is affected. The results will help doctors better understand the risks of this common procedure and guide safer management of ABI patients in the ICU.