ASSESSING PERFUSION FAILURE BY MEASURING BLOOD FLOW

摘要

Methods and devices are provided for assessing impairment of blood circulation in a patient, such as that in perfusion failure, by measurement of blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract or upper respiratory/digestive tract of the patient. The method comprises introducing a blood-flow sensor into the gastrointestinal tract or the upper respiratory/digestive tract of a patient, placing the sensor adjacent a mucosal surface therein, and measuring blood flow in adjacent tissue to determine blood flow in that tissue. The method may also involve measurement of PCO2 and/or pH in combination with the blood flow determination. The invention affords rapid measurement and detection of perfusion failure.