Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Dec 2011
Using the inflating syringe as a safety valve to limit laryngeal mask airway cuff pressure.
Hyperinflation of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff is thought to be the etiology underlying many of the complications associated with the use of this device. Until now, there has not been a clinically acceptable method (besides direct measurement) to assure that the cuff pressure is maintained less than the recommended maximum value of 44 mm Hg (60 cm H(2)O). ⋯ When using specific combinations of syringes, LMA sizes and inflation pressures, these data demonstrate an efficient, practical and easy method to achieve an initial equilibrium recoil LMA cuff pressure that is less than, or very near to, the recommended upper safe limit of 44 mm Hg.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyComparison of SNAP™ II and BIS Vista indices during normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass under isoflurane anesthesia.
Processed EEG monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may help determine loss of consciousness and depth of anesthesia. This study compared the SNAP(™) II and BIS Vista monitors in patients undergoing isoflurane anesthesia with normothermic CPB. ⋯ The SNAP(™) II monitor demonstrates a consistently positive bias during cardiopulmonary bypass under isoflurane anesthesia compared with the BIS Vista.
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'Standard' or 'extracellular' base excess (SBE) is a modified calculation using one-third the normal hemoglobin concentration. It is a 'CO(2)-invariant' expression of meta- bolic acid-base status integrated across interstitial, plasma and erythrocytic compartments (IPE). SBE also integrates conflicting physical chemical influences on metabolic acid-base status. ⋯ The impact of assum- ing fixed relationships between arterial and venous acid-base and saturation values in sepsis, anaemia and in differing shock states is unclear. Clinicians are also unlikely to accept that unique, accurate IPE volume determinations can be derived from a single set of blood gas and biochemistry results. Nevertheless, volume determinations aside, the tool is likely to become a valuable addition to the diagnostic armamentarium.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Dec 2011
A comprehensive, computer-model-based approach for diagnosis and treatment of complex acid-base disorders in critically-ill patients.
We have developed a computer-model-based approach to quantitatively diagnose the causes of metabolic acid-base disorders in critically-ill patients. We use an interstitial-plasma-erythrocyte (IPE) model that is sufficiently detailed to accurately calculate steady-state changes from normal in fluid volumes and electrolyte concentrations in a given patient due to a number of causes of acid-base disorders. Normal fluid volumes for each patient are determined from their sex, height and weight using regression equations derived from measured data in humans. ⋯ We use critically-ill patient data to show how our new approach is more informative and much simpler to interpret as compared to the approaches of Siggaard-Andersen or Stewart. We demonstrate how the model can be used at the bedside to diagnose acid-base disorders and suggest appropriate treatment. Hence, this new approach gives clinicians a new tool for diagnosing disorders and specifying fluid-therapy options for critically-ill patients.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialSkin conductance for monitoring of acute pain in adult postoperative patients: influence of electrode surface area and sampling time.
Aim of this prospective randomized study was to determine the influence of the electrode surface area and sampling time on the accuracy of the number of fluctuations in skin conductance per second to distinguish different states of acute pain. These methodological issues have been previously suggested as an explanation for contradictory data related to the accuracy of the skin conductance monitor. A total of 541 pain ratings on a numeric rating scale (0-10) were obtained from 120 adult postoperative patients. ⋯ However, the latter was found improved when the smaller surface area electrodes were used. A combination of small surface area electrodes and a 30 s sampling time resulted in the highest area under the curve in the receiver operating curve analysis of the method to identify states of moderate to severe pain (numeric rating scale > 3): 0.68 vs. e.g. 0.55 [data from all patients combined]). We conclude that the type of electrodes used but only to a lesser degree the sampling time influence the accuracy of the number of fluctuations in skin conductance per second to identify states of moderate or severe postoperative pain.