Tag: Hyperosmolar therapy

Hyperosmolar therapy has been used since the early 20th century to manage cerebral edema. **What is an example of hyperosmolar therapy?** Common examples include the intravenous administration of mannitol or hypertonic saline, which create an osmotic gradient to shift fluid and reduce pressure in the brain.

Hyperosmolar therapy is a core component of medical management for patients with acute intracranial hypertension. A foundational discovery in 1919 demonstrated that intravenous hyperosmolar solutions could significantly reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) and brain volume. What is hyperosmolar therapy? It is a life-saving strategy that uses highly concentrated solutions to create an osmotic gradient, drawing excess fluid from the brain to alleviate swelling.