Brain viability and function analyzer: multiparametric real-time monitoring in neurosurgical patients

Shedding light on mitochondrial function by real time monitoring of NADH fluorescence: II: human studies

Monitoring the mitochondrial function, alone or together with microcirculatory blood flow, volume and hemoglobin oxygenation in patients, is very rare. The integrity of microcirculation and mitochondrial activity is a key factor in keeping normal cellular activities. Many pathological conditions in patients are directly or indirectly related to dysfunction of the mitochondria. Evaluation of mitochondrial activity by measuring the autofluorescence of NADH has been the most practical approach since the 1950s. This review, which accompanies part I, presents the principles and technological aspects of various devices used in order to monitor mitochondrial NADH redox state and tissue viability in patients. In part I, the detailed technological aspects of NADH monitoring were described. Typical results accumulated in our studies since the mid-1990s are presented as well. We were able to apply the fiber optic based NADH fluorometry to several organs monitored in vivo in patients under various pathophysiological conditions.

Shedding light on mitochondrial function by real time monitoring of NADH fluorescence: I. Basic methodology and animal studies

Normal mitochondrial function in the process of metabolic energy production is a key factor in maintaining cellular activities. Many pathological conditions in animals, as well as in patients, are directly or indirectly related to dysfunction of the mitochondria. Monitoring the mitochondrial activity by measuring the autofluorescence of NADH has been the most practical approach since the 1950s. This review presents the principles and technological aspects, as well as typical results, accumulated in our laboratory since the early 1970s. We were able to apply the fiber-optic-based NADH fluorometry to many organs monitored in vivo under various pathophysiological conditions in animals. These studies were the basis for the development of clinical monitoring devices as presented in accompanying article. The encouraging experimental results in animals stimulated us to apply the same technology in patients after technological adaptations as described in the accompanying article. Our medical device was approved for clinical use by the FDA.