The Effect of Intravenous Indigo Carmine on Near-Infrared Cerebral Oximetry

In Brief The effects of IV-administered dyes on pulse oximetry have been well described. However, the effects on near-infrared cerebral oximetry have not been well documented. We report a series of four patients undergoing radical prostatectomy who were monitored with cerebral oximetry during surgery. After the administration of indigo carmine, intraoperative desaturations were observed for an extended period. Because clinical use of near-infrared cerebral oximetry is increasing, anesthesiologists should be aware of this issue. IMPLICATIONS: We report four cases of intraoperative cerebral desaturations, as measured by near-infrared cerebral oximetry, after IV administration of indigo carmine. Anesthesiologists and intensivists should be aware of this effect when using cerebral oximetry.