The Endothelium, A Protagonist in the Pathophysiology of Critical Illness: Focus on Cellular Markers

Figure 3

Development of delayed cerebral ischemia after traumatic brain injury. SAH: subarachnoid hemorrhage; SIRS: systemic inflammatory response syndrome; TBI: traumatic brain injury. In traumatic brain injury the exact pathophysiology of secondary ischemia is not completely clarified. Besides cerebral mechanisms, extracerebral processes are also involved such as hypotension. On the other hand the endothelium seems to be a central player in its development.