Loading...
A noninvasive, real-time system to monitor oxygen delivery to the brain might help clinicians assess changes in the balance between cerebral oxygen delivery and uptake in post–cardiac arrest patients. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, researchers analyzed regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) for 48 hours in 21 consecutive postarrest patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
Overall, 12 patients died and 9 survived to hospital discharge. Median rSO2 was significantly higher in survivors than in nonsurvivors during the first 24 hours (68% vs. 63%), but values were statistically similar at 48 hours (74% and 67%).