Principles of cerebral oxygenation and blood flow in the neurological critical care unit

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Cerebrovascular disease and trauma are leading causes of death in the United States. In addition to the initial insult to the brain, disturbances of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism underlie many of the secondary pathophysiological processes that increase both morbidity and mortality. Therefore, researchers and clinicians have sought to obtain a more thorough understanding of the physiological and biochemical principles of cerebral oxygenation and metabolism. New technologies capable of offering continuous and quantitative assessment of cerebral oxygenation may improve clinical outcomes. In this article, we review the physiological principles of cerebral metabolism, cerebral blood flow and their metabolic coupling, and cerebral oxygenation, with particular emphasis on variables that could be monitored and managed in an intensive care unit setting. Copyright © 2006 Humana Press Inc. All rights of any nature whatsoever are reserved.

Publication Date

2-1-2006

Publication Title

Neurocritical Care

ISSN

15416933

Volume

4

Issue

1

First Page

77

Last Page

82

PubMed ID

16498199

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1385/Neurocrit. Care 2006;04:77-82

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