Optical multimodal method for microcirculation assessment in sublingual and gastric mucosal level in patients with septic shock

Sepsis and septic shock remain major global health challenges with high mortality rates and significant healthcare costs. Current treatment focuses on stabilizing systemic hemodynamics through fluid resuscitation and vasopressors; however, these do not always improve microcirculatory perfusion. Disruption in microcirculation leads to tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction. Currently clinical guidelines suggest to use manual capillary refill time (operator dependent method) or serum lactate levels (non-specific method) for microcirculation assessment for septic shock patients. Existing bedside techniques to assess microcirculation are limited, lacking specificity and real-time feedback. This project aims to develop a novel, minimally invasive optical device for real-time monitoring of microcirculation at sublingual and gastric mucosal levels. The system will utilize scattered light spectroscopy to assess key parameters—tissue oxygenation, perfusion index, and heterogeneity index. It integrates clinical expertise from RSU with optical technology developed by ISSP UL, offering dynamic bedside monitoring during ICU treatment of septic shock. This innovation has the potential to improve microcirculation assessment in organ level, during sepsis treatment, reduce complications, and contribute to Latvia’s RIS3 strategy by advancing biomedical technology and strengthening the knowledge-based economy.