Evaluation of the feasibility and efficacy of measuring cerebral tissue oxygen saturation using near-infrared spectroscopy during shoulder surgery, therapeutic hypothermia and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abstract

The brain is the most complex and fragile organ of our body: it exerts centralized control over the other organs of the body and forms the physical structure associated with the mind. Despite the brains’ vital role and fragility, it is one of the least monitored organs of our body. Standard monitoring or imaging technologies allows detecting brain injury after irreversible damage has occurred. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the ability to detect regional cerebral tissue oxygen saturation in a continuous and non-invasive matter, allowing immediate detection of oxygenation disturbances and possible intervention when necessary. The technology is based on the ‘oxygen supply and demand’ physiology and could therefore be an indirect measurement of cerebral blood flow. We used the NIRS technology in several observational studies in different patient populations. In this way, we did an effort to determine in which patients or circumstances cerebral NIRS monitoring might be useful. ...