Neuromonitoring during cardiac surgery : cardiac anaesthesia

Neurologic complications present commonly following cardiac surgery, with an impact on patients' quality of life. Several mechanisms are implicated, including cerebral embolism, cerebral hypoperfusion and inflammation. All of these mechanisms cause an imbalance between oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption in the brain. Neuromonitoring during cardiac surgery might help to prevent injurious events or to detect them in the early hours in order to employ strategies to minimise secondary cerebral damage.