Noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow and blood oxygenation using near-infrared and diffuse correlation spectroscopies in critically brain-injured adults

Background This study assesses the utility of a hybrid optical instrument for noninvasive transcranial monitoring in the neurointensive care unit. The instrument is based on diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) for measurement of cerebral blood flow (CBF), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for measurement of oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration. DCS/NIRS measurements of CBF and oxygenation from frontal lobes are compared with concurrent xenon-enhanced computed tomography (XeCT) in patients during induced blood pressure changes and carbon dioxide arterial partial pressure variation. Methods Seven neurocritical care patients were included in the study. Relative CBF measured by DCS (rCBF_DCS), and changes in oxy-hemoglobin (AHbO ₂), deoxy-hemoglobin (AHb), and total hemoglobin concentration (ATHC), measured by NIRS, were continuously monitored throughout XeCT during a baseline scan and a scan after intervention. CBF from XeCT regions-of-interest (ROIs) under the optical probes were used to calculate relative XeCT CBF (rCBF_XeCT) and were then compared to rCBFDCS. Spearman's rank coefficients were employed to test for associations between rCBF_DCS and rCBF_XeCT, as well as between rCBF from both modalities and NIRS parameters. Results rCBF_DCS and rCBF_XeCT showed good correlation (r_s = 0.73, P = 0.010) across the patient cohort. Moderate correlations between rCBF_DCS and AHbO₂/ATHC were also observed. Both NIRS and DCS distinguished the effects of xenon inhalation on CBF, which varied among the patients. Conclusions DCS measurements of CBF and NIRS measurements of tissue blood oxygenation were successfully obtained in neurocritical care patients. The potential for DCS to provide continuous, noninvasive bedside monitoring for the purpose of CBF management and individualized care is demonstrated.