Cerebral Perfusion and Brain Oxygen Saturation Monitoring with: Jugular Venous Oxygen Saturation, Cerebral Oximetry, and Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates that cerebral desaturation in the perioperative period occurs more frequently than recognized. Combining monitoring modalities that reflect different aspects of cerebral perfusion status, such as near-infrared spectroscopy, jugular bulb saturation, and transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, may provide an extended window for prevention, early detection, and prompt intervention in ongoing hypoxic/ischemic neuronal injury and, thereby, improve neurologic outcome. Such an approach would minimize the impact of limitations of each monitoring modality, while individual components complement each other, enhancing the accuracy of acquired information. Current literature has failed to demonstrate any clear-cut clinical benefit of these modalities on outcome prognosis.

Keywords: Cerebral oximetry; Cerebral perfusion; Jugular venous oxygen saturation; Oxygen saturation monitoring; Transcranial doppler.