Csa. Macmillan et Pjd. Andrews, Cerebrovenous oxygen saturation monitoring: practical considerations and clinical relevance, INTEN CAR M, 26(8), 2000, pp. 1028-1036
Measurement of the saturation of brain effluent blood gives a global estima
te of cerebral oxygenation. It may provide clinicians with information to a
ssist in reducing secondary insults to the brain with potential benefits to
a range of patients with actual or potential acute brain injury such as tr
auma and cardiac bypass procedures. The technology to continuously measure
this variable is simple to use but requires attention to detail; it is limi
ted in its ability to detect discrete regions of ischaemia or hyperaemia un
less these are of sufficient magnitude to influence the saturation of brain
effluent blood. There are few complications that result from this invasive
technique and they are usually of a minor nature. The technique also enabl
es research opportunities from the ability to sample blood as it leaves the
cranium. Poor outcomes are seen in patients with traumatic brain injury wh
o exhibit either reduced or increased cerebrovenous oxygen saturation and i
t remains to be seen if detection and correction of these anomalies will pr
oduce patient benefits.