Shining a light on cerebral autoregulation: Are we anywhere near the truth?

Abstract

The near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived cerebral oximetry index (COx) has become popularized for non-invasive neuromonitoring of cerebrovascular function in post-cardiac arrest patients with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI). We provide commentary on the physiologic underpinnings and assumptions of NIRS and the COx, potential confounds in the context of HIBI, and the implications for the assessment of cerebral autoregulation.