Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Descriptive case studies, quasi-experimental studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
Hyperventilation or the reduction of carbon dioxide, either alone or as part of the total management of the severely head-injured patient. Hyperventilation or suction procedure cycle. Tromethamine and hyperventilation versus hyperventilation alone versus normal ventilation.
Participants included in the review
Head-injured patients, ranging from 2T to 12 on the Glasgow Coma Scale and aged 1 month upwards. Variable pathology including trauma, asphyxia, stroke, meningitis, intracerebral haematoma, subarachnoid haemorrhage and acute subdural haematoma.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Arterial venous oxygen difference, cerebral blood flow, global cerebral oxygenation, perfusion pressure, expired carbon dioxide, cerebral blood flow, arterial carbon dioxide, arterial and jugular bulb oxyhaemoglobin saturation, and lactate levels. Dementia, vegetative survival and death. Cerebral vascular reactivity assessed using xenon-enhanced computed tomography. Jugular venous oxygen saturation.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.