[Non-invasive monitoring of cerebral oxygenation by NIR spectrophotometry (clinical trial)]

A Shimazu OM-100A near infrared spectrophotometer was used to monitor the cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (Deoxy-Hb) and total hemoglobin (Total-Hb) in 3 patients with a) massive hemorrhage, b) ruptured aneurysm in the abdominal aorta, or c) hypercapnia. The hematocrit value of the patient with massive hemorrhage decreased rapidly to 18 %; the Total-Hb and Oxy-Hb also decreased significantly. Red blood cell transfusion raised the Oxy-Hb level, indicating an improvement in cerebral oxygenation. In the patient with a ruptured aneurysm, changes in blood flow brought about by clamping or declamping of the abdominal aorta were immediately reflected by corresponding changes in Total-Hb and Oxy-Hb. Oxy-Hb increased significantly and correlated well with the PETCO2 value in the patient with hypercapnia. Thus, NIR spectrophotometry is a useful non-invasive tool which can monitor metabolic and hemodynamic changes in the brain in various pathological conditions.