CONTINUOUS OXYGEN DELIVERY and CO(2) clearance are paramount in the maintenance of normal brain function and tissue integrity. Under normal conditions, aerobic metabolism is the major source of energy in the brain, but this system may be compromised by the interruption of substrate delivery and disturbances in cerebral metabolism. These disruptions are major factors contributing to ischemic and hypoxic brain damage resulting from traumatic brain injury, stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. There is evidence that mitochondrial function also is reduced after injury. Furthermore, early impairment of cerebral blood flow in patients with severe injury correlates with poor tissue oxygenation and may be an important parameter in secondary damage.
see PbtO2 monitoring