Monitors using near-infra red spectroscopy to assess cerebral oxygenation levels non-invasively in discrete areas of the brain have been used clinically for over 20 years. Interest has intensified recently, especially during cardiac surgery, and there are now five commercially available devices. Despite the attraction of being able to measure oxygen supply/demand in such a critical area, there has been only limited uptake of this technology in overall clinical anaesthetic practice. This narrative review aims to explore not only the rationale for using this technology but also the factors which have restricted its more widespread use.
Keywords: equipment - monitors; measurement techniques - cerebral oximetry; surgery - complications.
© 2017 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.