Currently, no reliable noninvasive methods exist for monitoring the severity of in vivo cyanide (CN) toxicity, treatment, and resulting physiological changes. We developed a broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS) system to measure bulk tissue absorption and scattering. DOS was used to optically monitor CN toxicity and treatment with sodium nitrite (NaNO2). To perform experiments, the DOS probe was placed on the hind leg of rabbits. A sodium CN solution was infused intravenously. DOS and concurrent physiologic measurements were obtained. After completion of CN infusion, NaNO2 was infused to induce methemoglobinemia (MetHb). During infusion of CN, blood gas measurements showed an increase in venous partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), and following reversal, venous pO2 values decreased. DOS measurements demonstrated corresponding changes in hemoglobin oxygenation states and redox states of cytochrome-c oxidase (CcO) during CN infusion and NaNO2 treatment. Therefore, DOS enables detection and monitoring of CN toxicity and treatment with NaNO2.

Objective

To quantitatively measure tissue composition and hemodynamics during resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in two tissue compartments using non-invasive two-channel broadband diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS).

Methods

Tissue concentrations of oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin (HbO2 and HbR), water, and lipid were measured in a porcine model (n = 10) of massive hemorrhage (65% total blood volume over 1 h) and 30-min REBOA superior and inferior to the aortic balloon.

Results

After hemorrhage, hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2 = HbO2/[HbO2 + HbR]) at both sites decreased significantly (-29.9% and -42.3%, respectively). The DOS measurements correlated with mean arterial pressure (MAP) (R2 = 0.79, R2 = 0.88), stroke volume (SV) (R2 = 0.68, R2 = 0.88), and heart rate (HR) (R2 = 0.72, R2 = 0.88). During REBOA, inferior StO2 continued to decline while superior StO2 peaked 12 min after REBOA before decreasing again. Inferior DOS parameters did not associate with MAP, SV, or HR during REBOA.

Conclusions

Dual-channel regional tissue DOS measurements can be used to non-invasively track the formation of hemodynamically distinct tissue compartments during hemorrhage and REBOA. Conventional systemic measures MAP, HR, and SV are uncorrelated with tissue status in inferior (downstream) sites. Multi-compartment DOS may provide a more complete picture of the efficacy of REBOA and similar resuscitation procedures.

Smoke inhalation injury causes acute airway injury that may result in airway compromise with significant morbidity and mortality. We investigate the ability of high resolution endobronchial optical coherence tomography (OCT) to obtain real-time images for quantitatively assessing regional differences between upper tracheal versus lower tracheal and bronchial airway injury responses to smoke inhalation in vivo using a prototype spectral domain (SLD)-OCT system we constructed, and flexible fiber optic probes. 33 New Zealand White rabbits are intubated and mechanically ventilated. The treatment groups are exposed to inhaled smoke. The OCT probe is introduced through the endotracheal tube and maintained in place for 5 to 6 h. Images of airway mucosa and submucosa are obtained at baseline and at specified intervals postexposure. Starting within less than 15 min after smoke inhalation, there is significant airway thickening in the smoke-exposed animals. This is maintained over 5 h of imaging studies. The lower tracheal airway changes, correlating closely with carboxyhemoglobin levels, are much greater than upper tracheal changes. Significant differences are seen in lower trachea and bronchi after acute smoke inhalation compared to upper trachea as measured in vivo by minimally invasive OCT. OCT is capable of quantitatively detecting regional changes in airway swelling following inhalation injury.