Monitoring of the Sublingual Microcirculation in Cardiac Surgery Using Orthogonal Polarization Spectral Imaging

Abstract

Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging revealed no major changes of microvascular perfusion during uncomplicated hypothermic CPB. The slightly reduced functional capillary density during CPB may be caused by several factors all present during CPB, including hypothermia, the artificial extracorporeal perfusion, surgical trauma, hemodilution, and inflammatory reaction. The current data do not allow differentiation between the effects of those possible causes.