Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026
How to Administer Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Critically ill Neonates, Infants, and Children
Published on: August 19, 2020
An NIRS matrix for detecting and correcting cerebral oxygen desaturation events during surgery and neuroendovascular
Gerhard Schwarz1, Gerhard Litscher, Placido A Delgado
1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Medical University of Graz, Austria. gerhard.schwarz@meduni-graz.at
Background:
Transcranial cerebral oximetry was developed for early detection of cerebral hypoxia and to avoid cerebral dysfunctions. However, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) data obtained during surgery are subject to intrinsic and extrinsic influences that have to be accounted for when interpreting the recordings.
Methods:
We developed an NIRS matrix to provide brief information for specific intervention to correct changes of cerebral oxygen saturation (COS). Selected vital data and the descriptors of cerebrovascular and neurofunctional status were linked to logistic chains.
Results:
The matrix is horizontally and vertically grouped and contains five descriptors: 1. change of COS; 2. key variable (parameter related to the change of COS); 3. associated parameters (vital data that do not cause COS alterations); 4. interpretation of values or preconditions most probably due to COS changes; and 5. the intervention most likely to normalize the COS or return it to baseline. The descriptors are grouped horizontally to a logistics chain.
Conclusion:
The modular expandable NIRS matrix we describe has promise for clinical use in surgical, neurointerventional, and anaesthesiological contexts.
