ABSTRACT
Neurons require a constant and adequate supply of oxygen, glucose, and other metabolites in order to function properly. As the oxygen reserve in the brain is limited, and anaerobic metabolism of neurons is low, adequate perfusion of blood is crucial for the proper function and viability of these cells. A low blood flow rate may result in an ischemic deficit, whereas a high blood flow rate may increase the intracranial pressure (ICP) and disrupt the blood brain barrier (Tzeng and Ainslie, 2014). Consequently, in situations where the blood supply to the brain is altered, for example, when using a perfusion pump in a cardio-vascular surgery or when the patient suffers a traumatic brain injury or a stroke, it is important to continuously monitor the brain’s perfusion.
