Cushing's Triad

Cushing's triad is a clinical triad variably defined as either hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respiration, or less commonly a widening pulse pressure (with elevated systolic and a either decreased or normal diastolic BP), irregular respiration, and bradycardia. It is sign of increased intracranial pressure, and it occurs as a result of the Cushing reflex.

It should not be confused with Cushing's syndrome, a disease state resulting from the elevated levels of blood cortisol.