Cerebral blood flow measured with diffusing wave spectroscopy during anesthesia

The adequate perfusion of the brain is of utmost importance where already short periods of hypoperfusion may lead to permanent damage. In order to increase patient safety the cerebral blood flow should be monitored in clinical settings during situations, such as anesthesia, where the perfusion might be disturbed. The cerebral blood flow is however not monitored on a routine basis during anesthesia. Diffusing wave spectroscopy is a relative novel optical method that non-invasively measures changes in cerebral blood flow. Here we report changes in cerebral blood flow associated with a delayed cardiac output, a change in isoflurane concentration and body temperature observed during general anesthesia with isoflurane in pigeons.