Jugular Venous Oximetry

Prompt detection and avoidance of secondary brain injury is the basis of the management of neurocritical patients. Jugular venous oximetry, i.e., monitoring of jugular bulb venous oxygen saturation, is one such bedside neuromonitor that detects the adequacy of cerebral perfusion. It provides a global overview of oxygen supply versus demand for the brain by analyzing cerebral venous outflow. It provides information about the balance between cerebral oxygen supply and demand analogous to mixed venous oxygen saturation measured in the pulmonary artery, which reflects the balance between systemic oxygen supply and consumption. Detecting periods of cerebral desaturation enables clinicians to take appropriate actions, thereby ameliorating secondary brain injury. Amalgamating information obtained by jugular oximetry with other neuromonitors like brain tissue oxygen tension, near-infrared spectroscopy, and microdialysis complements standard management protocols to improve patient outcomes.