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Purpose: Cerebral tissue oxygenation (PbrO(2)) is most frequently monitored using a Licox CC1.SB system (LX, Integra Neuroscience, France) but recently a new probe--the Neurovent-PTO (NV)--was introduced by a different manufacturer (Raumedic, Germany). There are no prospective data on how these probes compare in clinical routine. We therefore compared both probes in comatose patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) during dynamic changes of inspirational oxygen fraction (FiO(2)) and mean arterial pressure (MAP)., Methods: PbrO(2) in 11 patients was recorded continuously using an LX and NV probe placed side by side into the same cerebrovascular region. Once a steady baseline value was reached FiO(2) was increased by 20% for 10 min. Once the baseline values were re-established MAP was increased by 20 mmHg for 10 min. Evaluation was performed using a four-parameter logistic function and Bland-Altman analyses., Results: PbrO(2) values of both probes differed significantly at all times. The LX probe reacted significantly faster to changes in FiO(2) and MAP. Limits of agreement ranged between -32.1 and 20.0 mmHg. Mean LX values were 6.1 mmHg lower than NV values., Conclusions: Since the examined patient cohort was rather small, this study's results are preliminary. However, they suggest that LX and NV probes measure different PbrO(2) values in routine monitoring as well as during phases of dynamic changes in FiO(2) and MAP. These data therefore do not support the view that both probes can be used interchangeably.

Modern computer-based methods to monitor anesthesia are widespread. They are used in order to avoid awareness, to reduce consumption of anesthetics, to optimize recovery times and to detect prolonged times of deep anesthesia and associated immunsuppression, mortality and morbidity. This review illustrates the evidence with which these goals were achieved until now. Finally, a recommendation for each indication is given. The useage of EEG-monitoring may help to avoid awareness and allows a reduced of consumption of anesthetics. The question if a cumulated time of deep anesthesia is associated with elevated mortality might be of a certain importance in the future., (Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart. New York.)