Cushing's Triad with Increased Intracranial Pressure

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sgod34

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I know Cushing's Triad is vasoconstriction (increased BP and wide pulse pressure), reflex bradycardia, and respiratory depression according to FA. What I don't understand is why you get respiratory depression. I was under the impression that the central chemoreceptors respond to increased CO2 and decreased pH by hyperventilation. Is it because the increased IC pressure herniates the medulla, and decreases the respiratory center in the medulla?

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I know Cushing's Triad is vasoconstriction (increased BP and wide pulse pressure), reflex bradycardia, and respiratory depression according to FA. What I don't understand is why you get respiratory depression. I was under the impression that the central chemoreceptors respond to increased CO2 and decreased pH by hyperventilation. Is it because the increased IC pressure herniates the medulla, and decreases the respiratory center in the medulla?
Great explanation on wikipedia. It's honestly a great resource for Step 1 studying altogether.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cushing_reflex
 
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