Use of near-infrared spectroscopy to guide care in the pediatric cardiac ICU: just another glorified gadget?

Current evidence suggests that NIRS should serve as an adjunct rather than a primary driver of clinical decision-making in pediatric cardiac intensive care. Established modalities such as venous oxygen saturation, lactate trends, echocardiography, and functional hemodynamic assessments provide more actionable information. Further trials are required to define whether NIRS improves outcomes.