The evaluation of brain CBF and mitochondrial function by a fiber optic tissue spectroscope in neurosurgical patients

The brain of neurosurgical patients are exposed to various manipulations in the ICU or during surgery. Under such conditions brain O2 balance may become negative and as a result brain vitality and function will deteriorate. In order to evaluate brain vitality in real time it is important to measure more than one parameter. The multiparametric monitoring system used in our previous study to monitor comatose patients (Mayevsky et al., Brain Res. 740: 268-274, 1996) was changed into a "simplified" tissue spectroscope for real time monitoring of brain O2 balance. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by monitoring the NADH redox state by surface fluorometry. Microcirculatory blood flow was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. The combined optical probe was located on the surface of the brain during various neurosurgical procedures and the responses were recorded and presented in real time to the surgeon. A total of 32 patients were monitored during various procedures. The results could be summarized as follows: 1. Hypercapnia led to 3 different types of responses. In two patients the 'stealing' like event was recorded. In the other 7 patients the responses to high CO2 was not detectable. In the last group of 6 patients a clear CBF elevation was recorded with variable response of mitochondrial NADH. 2. Our monitoring device was able to evaluate the efficacy of the STA-MCA anastomosis during aneurysm surgery. 3. A significant correlation was recorded between CBF and NADH redox state during changes in blood pressure, papaverine injection, spontaneous drop in blood supply to the brain or during releasing of high ICP levels. We conclude that in order to evaluate the metabolic state of the brain during neurosurgical procedures it is necessary to monitor both CBF and mitochondrial NADH by using the tissue spectroscope.