Brain monitoring using near-infrared spectroscopy to predict outcome after cardiac arrest: a novel phenotype in a rat model of cardiac arrest

Effects of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on cerebral oxygen saturation, cerebral perfusion, and early prognosis after traumatic brain injury

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene on oxygen saturation and cerebral perfusion in the early stages of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS

This study included 136 consecutive TBI patients and 51 healthy individuals. The APOE genotypes of all subjects were determined using quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR). Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2) of patients with TBI and normal subjects was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Computed tomography (CT) perfusion was used to obtain cerebral perfusion in patients with TBI and normal subjects.

RESULTS

In the TBI group, the rScO2 of APOEε4 carriers (53.06 ± 6.87%) was significantly lower than that of non-carriers (58.19 ± 5.83%, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the MTT of APOEε4 carriers (6.75 ± 1.30 s) was significantly longer than that of non-carriers (5.87 ± 1.00 s, p < 0.05). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between rSCO2 and MTT in patients with TBI. Both the univariate and multifactorial logistic regression analyses revealed that APOE ε4, hypoxia, MTT >5.75 s, Marshall CT Class, and GCS were independent risk factors for early poor prognosis in patients with TBI.

CONCLUSION

Both cerebral perfusion and cerebral oxygen were significantly impaired after TBI, and low cerebral perfusion and hypoxia were related to poor prognosis of patients with TBI. Compared with APOE ε4 non-carriers, APOE ε4 carriers not only had poorer cerebral perfusion and cerebral oxygen metabolism but also worse prognosis in the early stages of TBI. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the rSCO2 and MTT levels. In addition, both CT perfusion scanning (CTP) and NIRS are reliable for monitoring the condition of patients with TBI in the neurological intensive care unit (NICU).

Evaluation of transcutaneous near-infrared spectroscopy for early detection of cardiac arrest in an animal model

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The SCA-to-resuscitation interval is a key determinant of patient outcomes, highlighting the clinical need for reliable and timely detection of SCA. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), a non-invasive optical technique, may have utility for this application. We investigated transcutaneous NIRS as a method to detect pentobarbital-induced changes during cardiac arrest in eight Yucatan miniature pigs. NIRS measurements during cardiac arrest were compared to invasively acquired carotid blood pressure and partial oxygen pressure (PO₂) of spinal cord tissues. We observed statistically significant decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) 64.68 mmHg ± 13.08, p < 0.0001), spinal cord PO₂ (38.16 mmHg ± 20.04, p = 0.0028), and NIRS-derived tissue oxygen saturation (TSI%) (14.50% ± 3.80, p < 0.0001) from baseline to 5 min after pentobarbital administration. Euthanasia-to-first change in hemodynamics for MAP and TSI (%) were similar [MAP (10.43 ± 4.73 s) vs TSI (%) (12.04 ± 1.85 s), p = 0.3714]. No significant difference was detected between NIRS and blood pressure-derived pulse rates during baseline periods (p > 0.99) and following pentobarbital administration (p = 0.97). Transcutaneous NIRS demonstrated the potential to identify rapid hemodynamic changes due to cardiac arrest in periods similar to invasive indices. We conclude that transcutaneous NIRS monitoring may present a novel, non-invasive approach for SCA detection, which warrants further investigation.

Understanding the Therapeutic Approaches for Neuroprotection

The term "neurodegenerative disorders" refers to a group of illnesses in which deterioration of nerve structure and function is a prominent feature. Cognitive capacities such as memory and decision-making deteriorate as a result of neuronal damage. The primary difficulty that remains is safeguarding neurons since they do not proliferate or regenerate spontaneously and are therefore not substituted by the body after they have been damaged. Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from neurodegenerative diseases. Various pathways lead to neurodegeneration, including endoplasmic reticulum stress, calcium ion overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis. Although different treatments and therapies are available for neuroprotection after a brain injury or damage, the obstacles are inextricably connected. Several studies have revealed the pathogenic effects of hypothermia, different breathed gases, stem cell treatments, mitochondrial transplantation, multi-pharmacological therapy, and other therapies that have improved neurological recovery and survival outcomes after brain damage. The present review highlights the use of therapeutic approaches that can be targeted to develop and understand significant therapies for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Effectiveness of near-infrared spectroscopy-guided continuous chest compression resuscitation without rhythm check in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: The prospective multicenter TripleCPR 16 study

BACKGROUND

The proportion of adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) remains unchanged since 2012. A better resuscitation strategy is needed. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO₂)-guided resuscitation protocol without rhythm check based on our previous study.

METHODS

Because defibrillation is the definitive therapy that should be performed without delay for shockable rhythm, the study subjects were OHCA patients with non-shockable rhythm on hospital arrival at three emergency departments. They were divided into three groups based on their baseline rSO₂ value (%): ≥50, ≥40 to <50, or <40. Continuous chest compression without rhythm checks was performed for 16 minutes or until a maximum increase in rSO₂ of 10%, 20%, or 35% was achieved in each group, respectively. This intervention cohort was compared with a historical control cohort regarding the probability of ROSC using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) with propensity score.

RESULTS

The control and intervention cohorts respectively included 86 and 225 patients. The rate of ROSC was not significantly different between the groups (adjusted OR 0.91 [95% CI, 0.64-1.29], P = 0.60), but no serious adverse events occurred. Sensitivity analyses 1 and 2 showed a significant difference or positive tendency for higher probability of ROSC (adjusted OR 1.63 [95% CI, 1.22-2.17], P < 0.001) (adjusted OR 1.25 [95% CI, 0.95-1.63], P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial suggested that a new cardiopulmonary resuscitation protocol with different rhythm check timing could be created using the rSO₂ value. Clinical trial number: UMIN000025684.