Conjunctival microcirculatory blood flow is altered but not abolished in brain dead patients: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The conjunctival microcirculation has potential as a window to cerebral perfusion due to related blood supply, close anatomical proximity and easy accessibility for microcirculatory imaging technique, such as sidestream dark field (SDF) imaging. Our study aims to evaluate conjunctival and sublingual microcirculation in brain dead patients and to compare it with healthy volunteers in two diametrically opposed conditions: full stop versus normal arterial blood supply to the brain.

Methods

In a prospective observational study we analyzed conjunctival and sublingual microcirculation using SDF imaging in brain dead patients after reaching systemic hemodynamic targets to optimize perfusion of donor organs, and in healthy volunteers. All brain death diagnoses were confir

SUBMITTER: Tamosuitis T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4939832 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature