Acute cardiac care & resuscitationCohort study
Cerebral blood flow estimation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in cardiac arrest patients: correlation with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) outcomes
- retrospective observational study
Authors' conclusion
The relationship between MAP and CBF during CPR varies by pressure range, with a positive correlation emerging at mean arterial pressure ≥60 mmHg, specifically among patients with better short-term outcomes. Maintaining mean arterial pressure ≥60 mmHg may be beneficial to optimizing cerebral blood flow during resuscitation.
Study context
- Population
- Adult patients (≥18 years) with OHCA who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with both invasive arterial monitoring and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurementspatients analyzed
- Participants
- 74 patients
- Exposure
- compared patients achieving return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) with those who did not
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
NIRS-estimated CBF responsiveness to MAP changes below 60 mmHg · during CPR
- minimal responsiveness to mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes below 60 mmHg in both groups
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Correlation between MAP and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the 60-80 mmHg range · during CPR
- Significant positive correlation among patients achieving ROSC
- P < 0.001
- No significant correlation in non-ROSC patients
Linear regression of CBF on MAP beyond 60 mmHg · during CPR
- steeper CBF increases with higher MAP values in the ROSC group beyond 60 mmHg
Original publication
Cerebral blood flow estimation using NIRS in cardiac arrest patients: correlation with ROSC outcomes. Resuscitation. Published 29 January 2026. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2026.110997
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it