Current applications of laser Doppler in the neurosurgical intensive care unit.

The invasive monitoring of the microcirculatory cerebral blood flow by laser Doppler flowmetry has been proposed as means for the detection and prevention of cerebral ischemia in comatose patients. However, the use of this technique is not widespread, nor has it proven to influence the patient's outcome. Recent reports selected from the literature are reviewed in order to define the indications, usefulness, limitations, and potential complications of the available methodology for the clinical monitoring of cerebral blood flow in neurosurgical patients by laser Doppler flowmetry.