Cushing's triad

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cushing's triad is the triad of hypertension (progressively increasing systolic blood pressure), bradycardia and irregular respirations.^[1] It is sign of increased intracranial pressure. Other sources state that the triad is hypertension, bradycardia and widening pulse pressure (an increase in the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure over time).

Contents 1 Significance 2 Eponym 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Significance

Identification of the triad is important in emergency medicine because it suggests a cerebral hemorrhage in the setting of trauma or an enlarging space occupying lesion (e.g. brain tumor) and a possible impending herniation of the brain, which can be rapidly fatal.

[edit] Eponym

It is named after Harvey Williams Cushing (1869-1939), an American neurosurgeon.

[edit] See also

• Cushing reflex
• Cheyne-Stokes respiration

[edit] References

1. ^ Ayling, J (2002). "Managing head injuries". Emergency Medical Services 31 (8): 42. PMID 12224233. 

[edit] External links

• Cushing triad - whonamedit.com