RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The present study was performed to evaluate intracranial pressure (ICP) variations after antipyretic therapy and their relationship to ICP at baseline (ICPbas) in acute brain injury (ABI) patients. METHODS: We completed a retrospective analysis on data derived from 2 previously published prospective observational studies. The first study involved 32 ABI patients and was performed to elucidate the cerebral and hemodynamic effects of intravenous (IV) paracetamol. The second study involved 30 ABI patients and was performed to investigate cerebral and hemodynamic effects of intramuscular IM diclofenac sodium (DCF). Overall patient population was divided into 2 groups: 1) group A (G-A) when ICPbas was ≤15 mmHg; and 2) group B (G-B) when ICPbas was >15 mmHg. The main objective was to evaluate if ICPbas affects the time course of ICP after antipyretics administration. RESULTS: Data from 62 ABI patients were analyzed. We failed to observe a significant change in ICP after antipyretic treatment in the overall group of patients (P