Development of an optical method for detecting cerebral ischemia during neurointensive care
Optical Monitoring
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a light‑based technology called near‑infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can accurately measure blood flow in the brain. It aims to develop a non‑invasive method to detect early signs of reduced blood flow (ischemia) in patients who have had a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Daily NIRS measurements will be compared with CT imaging to confirm accuracy.
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PROGRESS
0
20
patients enrolled
(as of Feb. 2026)
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FUTURE
If NIRS is shown to be reliable, it could become a safer, bedside tool for continuously monitoring brain blood flow in critically ill patients. Early detection of low blood flow may help prevent secondary brain injury caused by vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This technology could ultimately improve neurological outcomes and reduce the need for repeated CT imaging.
What is Optical Monitoring?
This study is designed to test whether near‑infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), a light‑based technology, can accurately measure brain blood flow in patients who have experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage. The goal is to determine how well NIRS readings match standard clinical imaging, specifically CT scans, which will be used for comparison. The research team will collect daily NIRS measurements over the first ten days after the hemorrhage to assess its reliability.
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Why is this important?
Patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage are at risk of secondary brain injury caused by reduced blood flow due to vasospasm, and early detection is critical. Current tools like CT imaging are effective but not practical for continuous monitoring. If NIRS proves accurate, it could provide clinicians with a non‑invasive, bedside method for detecting early signs of ischemia before permanent brain damage occurs, potentially improving patient outcomes in the neuro‑intensive care setting.
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What is involved in the study?
Participants will have four small NIRS probes placed on the scalp and one probe on a finger while an intravenous contrast agent is injected to allow blood‑flow measurement. Each monitoring session lasts about six hours and is repeated daily for ten consecutive days. A CT scan with contrast is performed on the tenth day (or earlier if medically indicated) to compare its results with the NIRS measurements. The study plans to enroll 20 patients between ages 18 and 70, and all procedures occur in the intensive care unit.
