Cardiovascular Effects of Acutely Raised Intracranial Pressure

Cardiovascular effects of acute elevations of intracranial pressure were studied, with special reference to three questions: a) whether vasoconstriction or cardiac stimulation is primarily responsible for the pressor response to this stimulus; b) whether the ultimate nature of the stimulus is neurogenic or humoral; and c) whether or not changes in venous tone occur in response to ICP elevation. It is concluded from the experimental findings that vasoconstriction was the dominant factor in the response, that the reflex is primarily neurogenic, and that the venomotor system shows an active constriction which accompanies the arterial pressure rise.