LIMITATIONS OF JUGULAR BULB OXYHEMOGLOBIN SATURATION WITHOUT INTRACRANIAL-PRESSURE MONITORING IN SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE

We report a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage in which, even after havin g obtained a normal jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation, cerebroveno us desaturation developed, and brain death occurred. The limitations o f jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation without intracranial pressure monitoring are discussed. We conclude that if increased intracranial p ressure is suspected, use of jugular bulb oxyhemoglobin saturation mon itoring alone would appear to be substantially limited.