Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can be useful in the hemodynamic monitoring of the pediatric critical patient?

Abstract

Introduction: Non-invasive cerebral oximetry uses NIRS (“near infrared spectroscopy”) technology to measure oxygen saturation in a small region of cortical cerebral vessels. It reflects 75% volume of venous cerebral oxygenation and 25% volume of arterial cerebral oxygenation. Objective: To make a brief description about non-invasive cerebral oximetry using NIRS technology (“near infrared spectroscopy”). Although this technique was described more than 25 years ago, its use is increasingly frequent being a recent phenomenon. Comments: Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2c), like peripheral arterial pulsatile oxygen saturation, is measured by spectrometry. It is based on the fact that oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs less red light and more infrared light than hemoglobin. It is a simple method to identify the lower limit of self-regulation, the point below which cerebral blood flow and tissue oxygenation become pressure dependent. Conclusions: The values ​​obtained from rSO2c represent the oxygenation state of the chromophores of the cerebral vascular bed of the venous compartment. Changes in cerebral oximetry depend on the balance between oxygen intake and consumption.