Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) ... 'a variation of pulse oximetry; it transmits red and infrared light into tissue' measures information from arterial venous and capillary blood simultaneously to deduce tissue saturation; an aggregate estimate of arteriovenous capillary blood and whatever tissue you're shining the light into. 'So typically, we're using it in on the brain at least in the cardiac and vascular space, but people also in other areas like the surgical ICU, can use it to measure muscle oxygenation as well'.

Learn how this technique could enhance your practice, what its potential for advancement is and where its limits lie. This piece is likely to be of critical interest to most cardiac surgeons and those who work alongside them.

This piece was generously supported and brought to you by Medtronic.

Presented by Desiree Chappell and Monty Mythen with their guests Robert Thiele, Cardiac Anesthesiologist and Intensivist at the University of Virginia, Carol Ann Rosenberg Associate Director of Perfusion and ECMO, Kenan Yount, Cardiac Surgeon and Director of the Valve center and Director of the Aortic Center at the University of Virginia.