Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyAn evaluation and comparison of intraventricular, intraparenchymal, and fluid-coupled techniques for intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.
Intracranial pressure measurements have become one of the mainstays of traumatic brain injury management. Various technologies exist to monitor intracranial pressure from a variety of locations. Transducers are usually placed to assess pressure in the brain parenchyma and the intra-ventricular fluid, which are the two most widely accepted compartmental monitoring sites. The individual reliability and inter-reliability of these devices with and without cerebrospinal fluid diversion is not clear. The predictive capability of monitors in both of these sites to local, regional, and global changes also needs further clarification. The technique of monitoring intraventricular pressure with a fluid-coupled transducer system is also reviewed. There has been little investigation into the relationship among pressure measurements obtained from these two sources using these three techniques. ⋯ Intraparenchymal pressure monitoring provides equivalent, statistically similar pressure measurements when compared to intraventricular monitors in all care and clinical settings. This is particularly valuable when uninterrupted cerebrospinal fluid drainage is desirable.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2011
Comparative StudyInvestigation of photoplethysmographic signals and blood oxygen saturation values obtained from human splanchnic organs using a fiber optic sensor.
A reliable, continuous method of monitoring splanchnic organ oxygen saturation could allow for the early detection of malperfusion, and may prevent the onset of multiple organ failure. Current monitoring techniques have not been widely accepted in critical care monitoring. As a preliminary to developing a continuous indwelling device, this study evaluates a new handheld fiber optic photoplethysmographic (PPG) sensor for estimating the blood oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) of splanchnic organs during surgery. ⋯ The evaluation of a new fiber optic sensor on anaesthetized patients undergoing laparotomy demonstrated that good quality PPG signals and SpO(2) estimates can be obtained from splanchnic organs. Such a sensor may provide a useful tool for the intraoperative assessment of splanchnic perfusion.
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Passive leg raising (PLR) provides a reversible fluid-loading challenge and can be used to predict fluid responsiveness. The amount of blood volume recruited by this maneuver called stressed volume (Vs) is unknown. The present study aims to assess the quantitative effects of passive leg raising on venous return at bedside. ⋯ The effect of transient hemodynamic changes on venous return induced by passive leg raising can be directly measured in intensive care patients using inspiratory-hold procedures. This technique makes quantification of PLR feasible and could be used clinically to assess fluid responsiveness.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2011
Case ReportsDecrease in pulmonary artery pressure after administration of thoracic epidural anesthesia in a patient with Marfan syndrome awaiting aortic valve replacement procedure.
Thoracic epidural anesthesia is an adjunct to general anesthesia in cardiac surgery. Decrease in heart rate and blood pressure are frequently seen beneficial effects. There are several other hemodynamic effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia such as decrease in systemic vascular resistance, cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index among others. ⋯ The authors present this case to generate discussion about the possible mechanisms involved in thoracic epidural anesthesia producing beneficial effects in patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension. Thoracic epidural anesthesia appears to decrease pulmonary artery pressure by a combination of several mechanisms, some unknown to us. This occurrence, if studied and understood well could be put to clinical use in pulmonary hypertensives.