What is the behavior of diastolic blood pressure in the presence of increased ICP?

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) has a distinct physiological effect on the cardiovascular system, particularly concerning blood pressure dynamics. Typically, when ICP rises, the body responds through a series of compensatory mechanisms to protect cerebral perfusion. One key phenomenon is the maintenance of mean arterial pressure (MAP) to ensure adequate blood flow to the brain.

Diastolic blood pressure often remains unchanged during increased ICP due to these compensatory mechanisms. The body prioritizes cerebral perfusion by adjusting other hemodynamic parameters rather than directly increasing the diastolic pressure. This maintenance of diastolic pressure contributes to stabilizing the cerebral blood flow even when ICP is elevated.

Factors like systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output play roles in determining these blood pressure changes, but the ability of the body to maintain diastolic blood pressure reflects an adaptive response to preserve brain function despite the rising pressure within the skull.