Tissue Oxygenation Monitoring as a Guide for Trauma Resuscitation

Hypoperfusion is the most common event preceding the onset of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome during trauma resuscitation. Detecting subtle changes in perfusion is crucial to ensure adequate tissue oxygenation and perfusion. Traditional methods of detecting physiological changes include measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, serum levels of lactate, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and central venous oxygen saturation. Continuous noninvasive monitoring of tissue oxygen saturation in muscle has the potential to indicate severity of shock, detect occult hypoperfusion, guide resuscitation, and be predictive of the need for interventions to prevent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Tissue oxygen saturation is being used in emergency departments, trauma rooms, operating rooms, and emergency medical services. Tissue oxygen saturation technology is just as effective as mixed venous oxygen saturation, central venous oxygen saturation, serum lactate, and Stewart approach with strong ion gap, yet tissue oxygen saturation assessment is also a direct, noninvasive microcirculatory measurement of oxygen saturation.