Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
-
Audible pulse tones, based on a variable-pitch frequency scale, allow the anesthesiologist to determine the patient's oxygen saturation without constant visual examination of the monitor display. The ability to reliably detect oxygen saturation levels based on audible pulse tones may be compromised when multiple pulse oximeter systems are used. The goal of this observational study was to examine the pitch frequency scales from several different pulse oximeter manufacturers. ⋯ With such variation among systems, the ability to accurately determine oxygen saturation from a pulse tone may be hindered. In locations where different pulse oximeter systems are encountered, the potential for confusion exists. Anesthesiologists need to be aware of these differences, and should familiarize themselves with the audible frequency scale of a particular pulse oximeter model before its use.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2004
Clinical TrialMonitoring of arterial stiffness indices by applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis: reproducibility at low blood pressures.
Aortic pulse wave analysis (PWA) reveals valuable information related to several hemodynamic characteristics mainly in normotensive and hypertensive patients. The main indices determined by PWA are augmentation index (AI) and reflection time index (RTI), which provide an indirect estimate of arterial stiffness and pulse wave velocity. The objective of the present study was to assess the reproducibility of aortic AI and RTI obtained by an automated and commercially available system (SphygmoCor) applied in patients with low blood pressures where such data are lacking. ⋯ Pulse wave analysis and radial artery tonometry can be used to measure AI and RTI with satisfactory reproducibility even in low blood pressures. Ongoing research is required to establish PWA utility in clinical practice especially at patients with low blood pressures.
-
During long experimental set ups, a protocol book usually guides cosmonauts. This is not very easy to work with in microgravity conditions and is not very efficient. For the cardiovascular physiology experiment CARDIOCOG during the Belgian Soyuz Mission (Odissea, November 2002) we developed a software program that guided the cosmonauts through the experiment. The software was developed in LabVIEW, thoroughly tested by CNES and the Russian space authorities and transported to the ISS as a stand-alone application. An adapted version was used during the Spanish Cervantes Mission in October 2003. ⋯ Less training was necessary for the cosmonauts to learn the experiment. Reconstruction of the experiment timing was easy. Exact breathing frequencies were obtained at each repetition. The program HICOPS worked to the overall satisfaction of the cosmonauts and they preferred working with HICOPS instead of with paper flow sheets. Data for the cardiovascular experiment during both missions were obtained in a standardised way.