Near-infrared spectroscopy as continuous real-time monitoring for kidney graft perfusion

Assessment of Amniotic Fluid as a Preservation Solution in Pig Livers Undergoing Machine Perfusion

INTRODUCTION

Ischemia-reperfusion injury in organ transplantation highlights the need for advanced preservation techniques. This study evaluates the effectiveness of amniotic fluid (AF) compared to static cold storage and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution in preserving pig livers subjected to hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (HOMP) and ex vivo normothermic reperfusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen pig livers underwent warm ischemia for 1 h, followed by preservation under three conditions: cold storage (group 1, n = 3), HOMP with HTK (group 2, n = 3), and HOMP with AF (group 3, n = 3). Perfusion lasted 4 h, followed by 2 h of ex vivo reperfusion. Assessments included hepatic bile production, sphingomyelin levels, reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, antioxidant capacity, tissue oxygen saturation, flow dynamics, blood gas analyses, biochemical markers, and histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations.

RESULTS

AF-HOMP showed superior blood flow, lower vascular resistance, higher oxygen saturation, and better organ protection than HTK. Blood gas measurements demonstrated stable physiological levels after reperfusion. AF-HOMP improved bile production, sphingomyelin levels, glycogen preservation, and reduced parenchymal necrosis, hepatocyte vacuolization, and sinusoidal obstruction. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated protective effects on bile duct function, apoptosis, endothelial activation, and cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

AF-HOMP outperformed HTK in preserving liver tissue during warm ischemia, HOMP, and reperfusion. AF is a promising, cost-effective, and accessible alternative for liver preservation, potentially expanding donor pools and improving transplantation outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore its broader applications.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Mapping of the Human Epicardium

Epicardial catheter ablation is necessary to address ventricular tachycardia targets located far from the endocardium, but epicardial adipose tissue and coronary blood vessels can complicate ablation. We demonstrate that catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can identify these obstacles to guide ablation. Eighteen human ventricles were mapped ex vivo using NIRS catheters with optical source-detector separations (SDSs) of 0.6 and 0.9 mm. A logistic regression model trained from manually labeled spectra achieved mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.907 (0.6 mm SDS) and 0.911 (0.9 mm SDS) in binary adipose detection. Novel optical indices for adipose detection were also proposed, achieving AUROCs of 0.881 (0.6 mm SDS) and 0.873 (0.9 mm SDS), while a blood-specific optical index achieved AUROC of 0.859 for vessel detection (0.9 mm SDS). These results suggest that catheter-based NIRS can detect adipose tissue and coronary vessels to improve efficacy and safety of epicardial ablation.

Real-time organ perfusion monitoring of human kidney transplants using ex vivo normothermic perfusion and reflectance spectroscopy

Transplantation is the standard treatment for end-stage kidney disease but carries with it a non-trivial risk of post-operative complication. There is a need for a continuous, real-time, not additionally invasive method of monitoring organ perfusion. We present an approach to allograft perfusion monitoring using a human kidney model using ex vivo normothermic perfusion (EVNP) and custom spectroscopic optical reflectance probes. Five discarded human kidneys underwent EVNP, spectroscopic measurement and were subjected to perfusion compromising events (rejection, thrombosis or haemorrhage). Oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin spectra were fitted to the spectra acquired from the kidneys in order to estimate the oxygen saturation. Average oxygen saturations before the perfusion compromising events were estimated to be higher than after (or similar in the control cases). Changes in oxygen saturation estimated from measurements made continuously were synchronized well with changes in renal blood flow index measurements. This proof of concept study proves promising in identifying a technique for continuous monitoring of perfusion and oxygenation of a transplanted kidney in vivo with minimal additional invasiveness.

The relationship between trajectories of renal oxygen saturation and acute kidney injury: a prospective cohort study with a secondary analysis

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major postoperative consequence, affecting prognosis of older patients. Effective prediction or intervention to predict or prevent the incidence of AKI is currently unavailable.

AIMS

Dynamic changes of renal tissue oxygen saturation (RSO2) during surgery process are understudied and we intended to explore the distinct trajectories and associations with postoperative AKI.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis including data for older patients who underwent open hepatectomy surgery with informed consent. Latent class mixed models (LCMM) method was conducted to generate trajectories of intraoperative renal tissue RSO2 through different time points. The primary outcome was postoperative 7-day AKI. The univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify the relationship between distinct trajectories of renal tissue RSO2 and the risk of AKI. Meanwhile, the prediction efficacy of renal tissue RSO2 at different time points was compared to find potential intervention timing.

RESULTS

Postoperative AKI occurred in 14 (15.2%) of 92 patients. There are two distinct renal tissue RSO2 trajectories, with 44.6% generating "high-downwards" trajectory and 55.4% generating "consistently-high" trajectory. Patients with "high-downwards" trajectory had significantly higher risk of postoperative AKI than another group (Unadjusted OR [Odds Ratio] = 3.790, 95% CI [Confidence Interval]: 1.091-13.164, p = 0.036; Adjusted OR = 3.973, 95% CI 1.020-15.478, p = 0.047, respectively). Predictive performance was 71.4% sensitivity and 60.3% specificity for "high-downwards" trajectory of renal tissue RSO2 to identify AKI. Furthermore, the renal tissue RSO2 exhibited the lowest level and the best results in terms of the sensitivity during the hepatic occlusion period, may be considered as a "time of concern".

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients undergoing hepatectomy may show high-downwards trajectory of renal tissue RSO2, indicating a higher risk of AKI, and the lowest level was identified during the hepatic occlusion period. These findings may help to provide potential candidates for future early recognition of deterioration of kidney function and guide interventions.

Role of Renal Venous Oxygen Pressure for Renal Function Monitoring After Related Living-Donor Kidney Transplantation: Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Monitoring of renal function after kidney transplantation (KT) is performed by measuring serum creatinine (SCr), urine volumes (UV), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Other methods based on oxygen metabolism, such as the renal venous oxygen pressure (PrvO2), may be useful. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between PrvO2 and SCr, UV, and GFR 5 days after KT (SCr5, UV5, and GFR5, respectively).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study in adults scheduled for living donor KT. A venous blood sample was taken from the renal vein after declamping the renal artery, and blood gas determinations were made. Correlation analyses between PrvO2 and SCr5, UV5, and GFR5 were done by calculating Spearman's correlation coefficient with generalized linear models (GLM). A Spearman's correlation analysis was performed between the percentage decrease in SCr (%ΔSCr) and PrvO2. A GLM was also performed to determine the association of PrvO2 with slow graft function (SGF).

RESULTS

The study included 42 patients, of whom 67% were men. The median age was 31 years (IQR, 27-43.5). PrvO2 was negatively correlated with SCr5 (ρ = -0.53, P = .003), and positively correlated with GFR5 (ρ = 0.49, P = .001) and %ΔSCr (ρ = 0.47, P = .002). A higher PrvO2 was associated with an increase in GFR in univariable (β = 1.24, 95% CI, 0.56-1.93, P = .001) and multivariable (β = 1.24, 95% CI, 0.53-1.94, P = .001) analyses. No association was found between PrvO2 and SGF.

CONCLUSION

PrvO2 could be used to monitor renal function in the first 5 days after related living-donor KT, given its good correlation with SCr and GFR.

Changes in regional oxygen saturation of the kidney and brain of infants during hospitalization

BACKGROUND

In pre-term infants, the postnatal changes in the regional oxygen saturation (rSO₂) of the brain and kidney are unclear.

METHODS

We performed a prospective observational study. We measured the cerebral/renal rSO₂ ratio and recorded the associated clinical features of infants born at 23 to 41 weeks of gestation weekly from the early postnatal period to discharge.

RESULTS

The median cerebral/renal rSO₂ ratios (interquartile ranges) between birth and the expected date of birth were 1.13 (1.06-1.26) at 23-24 weeks (n = 7), 1.18 (1.10-1.32) at 25-26 weeks (n = 11), 1.24 (1.11-1.37) at 27-28 weeks (n = 9), 1.12 (1.05-1.19) at 29-30 weeks (n = 4), 1.11 (1.03-1.15) at 31-32 weeks (n = 5), 1.02 (0.98-1.06) at 33-34 weeks (n = 9), 0.98 (0.94-1.06) at 35-36 weeks (n = 19), and 0.95 (0.86-0.99) at 37-41 weeks of gestation (n = 22). The median cerebral/renal rSO₂ ratio did not significantly change after birth, but with increasing gestational age, the cerebral/renal rSO₂ ratio at the expected date of birth decreased (r = - 0.74, p < 0.001). Nephrotoxic drugs did not affect cerebral/renal rSO₂ at the expected date of birth, after adjustment for clinical factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike in most infants born after the late pre-term period, the renal rSO₂ remained lower than the cerebral rSO₂ on the expected date of birth in infants born very pre-term.

Can real-time near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring detect graft venous thrombosis after pediatric kidney transplantation?

BACKGROUND

A prompt detection of graft venous thrombosis might preserve the transplanted organ. A real-time near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring of the allograft perfusion could fulfill this goal. The aim of this work was to report the trend of allograft perfusion (rSO2) after pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) complicated by graft venous thrombosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

An infant, affected by end-stage kidney disease due to posterior urethral valves, underwent non-living donor KT. The allograft presented both arterial and venous variants and required a complex bench surgery reconstruction. The perfusion of the allograft was monitored by real-time transcutaneous NIRS. The early post-operative was conditioned by worsening clinical conditions, and a graft venous thrombosis was detected after four hours since the transplantation. NIRS monitoring lasted for 348 minutes. Median lower pole rSO2-value was 65% (IQR 62-66%), while the median upper pole rSO2-value was 70% (IQR 70-71%). These data reflected the congestion of the lower pole, observed at the end of the transplantation. The lower pole showed inferior rSO2 values (p<0.0001). At the end of the monitoring, the decrease in peripheral rSO2, measured in left lower limb as a benchmark, was consistent with the ongoing hypovolemic shock and severe acute anemia.

CONCLUSION

Transcutaneous NIRS might be a reliable device for monitoring allograft and peripheric perfusion after pediatric KT. The modifications of rSO2 values helped the clinicians manage the patients in the post-operative and early detect acute complications.

Intraoperative Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring of Renal Allograft Reperfusion in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Feasibility and Proof-of-Concept Study

Conventional renal function markers are unable to measure renal allograft perfusion intraoperatively, leading to delayed recognition of initial allograft function. A handheld near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device that can provide real-time assessment of renal allograft perfusion by quantifying regional tissue oxygen saturation levels (rSO₂) was approved by the FDA. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of intraoperative NIRS monitoring of allograft reperfusion in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Intraoperative renal allograft rSO₂ and perfusion rates were measured in living (LDRT, n = 3) and deceased donor RTR (DDRT, n = 4) during the first 50 min post-reperfusion and correlated with renal function markers 30 days post-transplantation. Intraoperative renal allograft rSO₂ for the DDRT group remained significantly lower than the LDRT group throughout the 50 min. Reperfusion rates were significantly faster in the LDRT group during the first 5 min post-reperfusion but remained stable thereafter in both groups. Intraoperative rSO₂ were similar among the upper pole, renal hilum, and lower pole, and strongly correlated with allograft function and hemodynamic parameters up to 14 days post-transplantation. NIRS successfully detected differences in intraoperative renal allograft rSO₂, warranting future studies to evaluate it as an objective method to measure ischemic injury and perfusion for the optimization of preservation/reperfusion protocols and early prediction of allograft function.

End-organ saturations correlate with aortic blood flow estimates by echocardiography in the extremely premature newborn - an observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measures of cerebral saturation (Csat) and renal saturation (Rsat) in extreme premature newborns may be affected by systemic blood flow fluctuations. Despite increasing clinical use of NIRS to monitor tissue saturation in the premature infant, validation of NIRS measures as a correlate of blood flow is still needed. We compared echocardiography (ECHO) derived markers of ascending aorta (AscAo) and descending aorta (DesAo) blood flow with NIRS measurements obtained during the ECHO.

METHODS

Newborns < 29 weeks' gestation (2013-2017) underwent routine NIRS monitoring. Csat, Rsat and systemic saturation at the time of ECHO were retrospectively analyzed and compared with Doppler markers of aortic flow. Renal and cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (rFTOE and cFTOE, respectively) were calculated. Mixed effects models evaluated the association between NIRS and Doppler markers.

RESULTS

Forty-nine neonates with 75 Csat-ECHO and 62 Rsat-ECHO observations were studied. Mean post-menstrual age was 28.3 ± 3.8 weeks during the ECHO. Preductal measures including AscAo velocity time integral (VTI) and AscAo output were correlated with Csat or cFTOE, while postductal measures including DesAo VTI, DesAo peak systolic velocity, and estimated DesAo output were more closely correlated with Rsat or rFTOE.

CONCLUSIONS

NIRS measures are associated with aortic blood flow measurements by ECHO in the extremely premature population. NIRS is a tool to consider when following end organ perfusion in the preterm infant.

Transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for monitoring kidney and liver allograft perfusion

BACKGROUND

The use of transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for monitoring the perfusion of kidney and liver allografts has been proposed in the last years. This device might detect an early decrease in allograft oxygenation allowing prompt detection of vascular complications.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature about the use of transcutaneous NIRS in monitoring allograft perfusion was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

The authors screened 1313 papers. The search yielded five pertinent articles. Three of them reported the experience of NIRS in kidney transplantation and the other two dealt with its use in liver transplantation, for a total of 55 paediatric patients and 121 adults. In the studies concerning kidney transplantation, NIRS measurements were significantly related to serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (u-NGAL), serum lactate, resistive index assessed by Doppler-ultrasonography and systolic blood pressure. The two studies dealing with liver transplantation found a significant decrease in liver regional oxygenation, assessed by NIRS, before the occurrence of vascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary studies have related NIRS monitoring to kidney and liver allograft perfusion, both in adults and children. Further investigation is needed to establish the normal range of NIRS values and the factors influencing NIRS monitoring.

NIRS-based monitoring of kidney graft perfusion

Introduction

Acute early vascular complications are rare, but serious complications after kidney transplantation. They often result in graft loss. For this reason, shortening the diagnostic process is crucial. Currently, it is standard procedure to monitor renal graft perfusion using Doppler ultrasound (DU). With respect to acute vascular complications, the main disadvantage of this type of examination is its periodicity. It would be of great benefit if graft blood perfusion could be monitored continuously during the early postoperative period. It appears evident that a well-designed near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring system could prove very useful during the early post-transplantation period. Its role in the immediate diagnosis of vascular complications could result in a significant increase in graft salvage, thus improving the patient’s overall quality of life and lowering morbidity and mortality for renal graft recipients. The aim of this study was to design, construct and test such a monitoring system.

Materials and methods

We designed a rough NIRS-based system prototype and prepared a two-stage laboratory experiment based on a laboratory pig model. In the first stage, a total of 10 animals were used to verify and optimize the technical aspects and functionality of the prototype sensor by testing it on the animal kidneys in-vivo. As a result of these tests, a more specific prototype was designed. During the second stage, we prepared a unique laboratory model of a pig kidney autotransplantation and tested the system for long-term functionality on a group of 20 animals. Overall sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and a final prototype was prepared and completed with its own analytic software and chassis.

Results

We designed and constructed a NIRS-based system for kidney graft perfusion monitoring. The measurement system provided reliable performance and 100% sensitivity when detecting acute diminished blood perfusion of the transplanted kidneys in laboratory conditions.

Conclusion

The system appears to be a useful tool for diagnosing diminished blood perfusion of kidney transplants during the early postoperative period. However, further testing is still required. We believe that applying our method in current human transplantation medicine is feasible, and we are confident that our prototype is ready for human testing.

Acute Kidney Injury and Renal Regional Oxygen Saturation During Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Background

Kidney injury is a complication among children undergoing liver transplantation (pLTx). Cystatin C serum concentration seems to be superior to creatinine-based determination of kidney injury in adults and children. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology provides non-invasive and real-time measurement of renal tissue oxygenation. Here, we compared renal tissue oximetry (rSrO₂) with conventional diagnostic criteria cystatin C and creatinine concentration in children undergoing pLTx.

Material/Methods

rSrO₂ was measured intraoperatively in children undergoing pLTx over the left kidney, and was statistically compared with pre- and postoperative serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations.

Results

rSrO₂ was affected by hemoglobin concentration, bilirubin concentration, and FiO₂. Statistical analysis demonstrated that rSrO₂ was significantly reduced in children with preoperative pathologic increased cystatin C concentrations compared to children without (63.7±4.3 vs. 53.4±4.9, p<0.05). We did not detect a significant difference in rSrO₂ between children who developed postoperative renal impairment, either determined by increased postoperative cystatin C concentration, creatinine concentration, or the pRIFLE criteria. Intraoperative increase or decrease in rSrO₂ did not predict the development of postoperative kidney injury.

Conclusions

In children with liver failure undergoing pLTx, a preoperative decrease in rSrO₂ indicates compromised renal function. However, intraoperative rSrO₂ is not predictive of postoperative kidney injury.

Monitoring kidney optical properties during cold storage preservation with spatial frequency domain imaging

Transplantation of kidneys results in delayed graft function in as many as 40% of cases. During the organ transplantation process, donor kidneys undergo a period of cold ischemic time (CIT), where the organ is preserved with a cold storage solution to maintain tissue viability. Some complications observed after grafting may be due to damage sustained to the kidney during CIT. However, the effects due to this damage are not apparent until well after transplant surgery has concluded. To this end, we have used spatial frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to measure spatially resolved optical properties of porcine kidneys over the course of 80-h CIT. During this time, we observed an increase in both reduced scattering (μ s& ' ) and absorption (μa) coefficients. The measured scattering b parameter increased until 24 h of CIT, then returned toward baseline during the remaining duration of the imaging sequence. These results show that the optical properties of kidney tissue change with increasing CIT and suggest that continued investigation into the application of SFDI to kidneys under CIT may lead to the development of a noninvasive method for assessing graft viability.

A survey of the anesthetic management of pediatric kidney transplantation in France

BACKGROUND

Renal transplantation is the best available therapeutic option for end-stage renal failure in both children and adults. However, little is known about anesthetic practice during pediatric renal transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study consisted of a national survey about anesthetic practice during pediatric renal transplantation in France. French tertiary pediatric centers performing renal transplants were targeted, and one physician from each team was asked to complete the survey. The survey included patient data, preoperative assessment and optimization data, and intraoperative anesthesia data (drugs, ventilation, and hemodynamic interventions).

RESULTS

Twenty centers performing kidney transplantation were identified and contacted to complete the survey, and eight responded. Surveyed centers performed 96 of the 122 pediatric kidney transplantations performed in France in 2017 (79%). Centers consistently performed echocardiography and ultrasound examinations of the great veins preoperatively and consistently employed esophageal Doppler cardiac output estimation and vasopressors intraoperatively. All other practices were found to be heterogeneous. Central venous pressure was monitored in six centers, and dopamine was administered perioperatively in two centers.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides a snapshot of the perioperative management of pediatric kidney transplantation in France. Results emphasize the need for both standardization of practice and awareness of recent evidence against the use of CVP monitoring and dopamine infusions.

Renal Saturation and Acute Kidney Injury in Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the range of renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measures in neonates undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and to determine the association between renal NIRS measures and the development of acute kidney injury (AKI).

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart review was conducted of neonates with moderate to severe HIE who received therapeutic hypothermia at a tertiary care center from 2014 to 2016. Neonates had routine continuous NIRS monitoring of cerebral and renal saturation (Rsat) as part of their clinical care for 72 hours of cooling and until 24 hours after rewarming. The outcome of AKI was defined by an abnormal rate of decline of serum creatinine over the first 5 days of life. Mixed effects models determined the association between renal NIRS measures and AKI over time.

RESULTS

Of 38 neonates with HIE undergoing cooling, 15 (39%) developed AKI. Rsat was lower than cerebral saturation during cooling (P < .01), but Rsat increased over time after rewarming, while renal oxygen extraction levels decreased (P < .0001). Neonates with AKI had higher Rsat levels (P < .01) compared with those without AKI after 24 hours of life. Using receiver operating characteristic curves, Rsat >75% by 24-48 hours predicted AKI with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 82% (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Throughout cooling, neonates with AKI had higher Rsat measures than those without AKI. These differences may reflect lower oxygen extraction by the injured kidney. NIRS monitoring of Rsat may identify neonates with HIE at risk of developing AKI.

End-Organ Saturation Differences in Early Neonatal Transition for Left- versus Right-Sided Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

For neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD), left-sided (LL) and right-sided (RL) single ventricular physiologies (LL, hypoplastic left heart syndrome; RL, tricuspid atresia or pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum) may demonstrate distinct changes in tissue saturation in the first 72 h of life. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can measure regional cerebral saturation (Csat) and renal saturation (Rsat) to clarify differences between LL and RL over time.

OBJECTIVES

Our primary objective was to measure changes in Csat and Rsat in the first 72 h of life using NIRS between CHD infants with LL compared to RL. The secondary objective was to correlate NIRS values to an echocardiographic marker of perfusion.

METHOD

Newborns with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, tricuspid atresia, and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum from 2013 to 2016 underwent routine NIRS monitoring. Csat, Rsat, and systemic saturations (SpO2) in the first 72 h of life were retrospectively analyzed and the echocardiographic descending aorta velocity time integral (VTI) was measured. Mixed effects models compared differences over time between LL and RL.

RESULTS

The final cohort included 13 LL, 12 RL, and 4 controls. Csat decreased for RL compared to LL (p = 0.005), while Rsat decreased for both (p = 0.008). Over time, SpO2 increased for LL but decreased for RL (p = 0.046). Compared to the controls, infants with CHD had lower Csat, lower Rsat, and lower SpO2. The descending aorta VTI was correlated with Rsat (R2 = 0.24, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

NIRS Csat measures were better preserved in LL compared to RL. Rsat decreased in both groups through time. The correlation between the descending aorta VTI and Rsat suggests an association between NIRS measures of renal saturation and renal perfusion.

Can transcutaneous near infrared spectroscopy detect severe hepatic ischemia: a juvenile porcine model

BACKGROUND

Vascular complications following pediatric liver transplantation occur in 8-10% of cases, and no continuous, non-invasive monitoring for this problem exists. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows non-invasive, continuous, transcutaneous assessment of hemoglobin oxygenation (StO₂ ) 1-4 cm below the skin surface.

AIMS

We hypothesized that transcutaneous NIRS would be able to detect severe hepatic ischemia, and tested this in an animal model using 15-20 kg and 5-7 kg juvenile pigs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Direct liver surface and transcutaneous hepatic tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO₂ ) were measured during occlusions of the hepatic artery and portal vein. Changes in hepatic delivery of oxygen (HepDO₂ ) were calculated for each ischemic challenge and compared to changes in direct liver surface (DirHepStO₂ ) and transcutaneous liver StO₂ measurements (CutHepStO₂ ).

RESULTS

In the 15-20 kg animals during complete occlusion, CutHepStO₂ decreased by 6.0(±4.9)%, whilst DirHepStO₂ decreased by 83.7(±7.2)%. In the 5-7 kg animals during complete occlusion, CutHepStO₂ decreased by 27.4(±8.5)%, whilst DirHepStO₂ decreased by 82.8(±4.6)%.

CONCLUSION

Transcutaneous hepatic StO₂ monitoring cannot reliably detect severe hepatic ischemia in a juvenile porcine model, although a stronger and potentially useful signal is seen in 5-7 kg pigs. Trials of this technology should be currently restricted to situations where the organ is less than 1 cm from the skin surface, corresponding to infants of <10 kg.