Brain tissue oxygenation monitoring in acute brain injury

The future of non-invasive cerebral oximetry in neurosurgical procedures: A systematic review

Background:Cerebral hypoxia is one of the most important causes of secondary brain injury during neurosurgical procedures and in neurointensive care. In patients with brain injury, cerebrovascular reactivity may be impaired and a decrease in mean arterial pressure or cerebral perfusion pressure may lead to inadequate cerebral blood flow and secondary ischemia. There are several techniques available to measure brain oxygenation. In particular, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive neuromonitoring technique and there has been a rapid expansion of clinical evidence that NIRS reduces perioperative neurologic complications.  Methods:This systematic review synthesizes prospective and retrospective cohort studies that investigate the benefit of using NIRS in prevention of perioperative neurologic complications. The methodological quality of these studies is appraised.Results:Seven studies were included in this systematic review. The methodological quality of each study was assessed. They had representative patient populations, clear selection criteria and clear descriptions of study designs. Reproducible study protocols with ethics board approval were present. Clinical results were described in sufficient detail and were applicable to patient undergoing neurosurgical procedures and in neurointensive care. Limitations included small sample sizes and lack of reference standard.Conclusions:This systematic review synthesizes the most current evidence of non-invasive, inexpensive, and continuous measurement of cerebral oxygenation by NIRS. Results gained from these studies are clinically useful and shed light on how this neuromonitoring technique is beneficial in preventing perioperative neurological complications.

Changes in brain biochemistry and oxygenation in the zone surrounding primary intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

While the management of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains controversial, there remains a subset of patients that undergo clot evacuation. This study aims to characterize brain physiology and biochemistry after surgery for this condition.

METHODS

Thirty-six consecutive patients requiring ventilation for primary ICH had intracranial pressure (ICP), tissue oxygenation (PbO2) and cerebral microdialysis (CMD) monitoring. 28 patients with a Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) of 1-3 formed group 1 while 5 patients with a GOS of 4-5 formed group 2. The control group consisted of 3 patients managed conservatively without surgery.

FINDINGS

The mean PbO2 (24.5 +/- 20.8 mmHg) was higher in the patients in group 1 (poor outcome) compared with those in the control group (13.6 +/- 9.0 mmHg) (p < 0.001). Compared to patients in group 2, the patients in group 1 also had a higher PbO2 (p = 0.02) together with worse levels of lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio and glycerol (p < 0.001). In all 3 groups, ICP reduction to < 20 mmHg was achieved together with a return to of pressure reactivity (PRx) to < 0.3.

CONCLUSIONS

In spontaneous ICH, derangements in the perilesional tissue demonstrated by local techniques of PbO2 monitoring and CMD are not seen in global indices such as the PRx.