Monitoring of the sublingual microcirculation in cardiac surgery using orthogonal polarization spectral imaging

Background: The recent introduction of orthogonal polarization spectral imaging enables the direct visualization of the microcirculation of man without imaging enhancing dyes. The authors studied the changes in microvascular perfusion of sublingual mucosa during cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using this optical method. Method: Orthogonal polarization spectral images were recorded in 47 patients after skin incision (T1), after the start of CPB (T2), in the late phase of CPB (T3), and 1 h after the discontinuation of CPB (T4). The images were analyzed for microvascular diameter, erythrocyte velocity, and functional capillary density using an established analysis routine for intravital microscopy studies. in a subpopulation (n = 8), the expression of the adhesion molecules CD18 on circulation leukocytes was compared with the number of visualized rolling leukocytes. Results: Preoperatively, no significant changes of the microvascular diameter and erythrocyte velocity were seen. The functional capillary density was significantly reduced at T3 to 90% of the values observed before CPB but recovered at T4 and showed a weak but significant correlation with body temperature (r = 0.38, P < 0.01) and hemoglobin concentration (r = 0.20, P < 0.05). Expression of CD18 was significantly increased in the late phase of CPB (T3) only, whereas the numbers of rolling leukocytes increased during CPB and revealed a significant threefold increase 1 h after termination of CPB. Conclusions: Orthogonal polarization spectral imaging revealed no major changes of microvascular perfusion during uncomplicated hypothermic CPB. The slightly reduced functional capillary density during CPB may be caused by several factors all present during CPB, including hypothermia, the artificial extracorporeal perfusion, surgical trauma, hemodilution, and inflammatory reaction. The current data do not allow differentiation between the effects of those possible causes.