Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2017
Comparative StudyThe effects of anesthetic agents on pupillary function during general anesthesia using the automated infrared quantitative pupillometer.
Pupil reactivity can be used to evaluate central nervous system function and can be measured using a quantitative pupillometer. However, whether anesthetic agents affect the accuracy of the technique remains unclear. We examined the effects of anesthetic agents on pupillary reactivity. ⋯ Fentanyl given alone decreased pupil size and %CH in light reflex, but did not change the NPi. NPi was decreased by inhalational anesthesia not but intravenous anesthesia. The difference in pupil reactivity between inhalational anesthetic and propofol may indicate differences in the alteration of midbrain reflexs in patients under inhalational or intravenous anesthesia.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2017
FLOW-i ventilator performance in the presence of a circle system leak.
Recently, the FLOW-i anaesthesia ventilator was developed based on the SERVO-i intensive care ventilator. The aim of this study was to test the FLOW-i's tidal volume delivery in the presence of a leak in the breathing circuit. We ventilated a test lung model in volume-, pressure-, and pressure-regulated volume-controlled modes (VC, PC, and PRVC, respectively) with a FLOW-i. ⋯ Interestingly, VT did not differ appreciably from 6 to 0.3 L/min of fresh air flow among the 3 ventilatory modes. In the absence of leakage, peak inspiratory pressures were similar, while they were 35-45 % smaller in PRVC and VC than in PC mode in the presence of leaks. In conclusion, FLOW-i maintained VT (down to fresh gas flows of 0.3 L/min) to 90 % of its preset value in PC mode, which was 4-5 times greater than in VC or PRVC modes.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2017
Smart respiratory monitoring: clinical development and validation of the IPI™ (Integrated Pulmonary Index) algorithm.
Continuous electronic monitoring of patient respiratory status frequently includes PetCO2 (end tidal CO2), RR (respiration rate), SpO2 (arterial oxygen saturation), and PR (pulse rate). Interpreting and integrating these vital signs as numbers or waveforms is routinely done by anesthesiologists and intensivists but is challenging for clinicians in low acuity areas such as medical wards, where continuous electronic respiratory monitoring is becoming more common place. We describe a heuristic algorithm that simplifies the interpretation of these four parameters in assessing a patient's respiratory status, the Integrated Pulmonary Index (IPI). ⋯ Receiver operating curves analysis resulted in high levels of sensitivity (ranging from 0.83 to 1.00), and corresponding specificity (ranging from 0.96 to 0.74), based on IPI thresholds 3-6. The IPI reliably interpreted the respiratory status of patients in multiple areas of care using off-line continuous respiratory data. Further prospective studies are required to evaluate IPI in real time in clinical settings.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2017
A risk stratification algorithm using non-invasive respiratory volume monitoring to improve safety when using post-operative opioids in the PACU.
Late detection of respiratory depression in non-intubated patients compromises patient safety. SpO2 is a lagging indicator of respiratory depression and EtCO2 has proven to be unreliable in non-intubated patients. A decline in minute ventilation (MV) is the earliest sign of respiratory depression. ⋯ At discharge, 29/150 patients had Low MV and those receiving opioids were 50 % more likely to display Low MV (23 vs. 16 %). The RVM can identify patients at-risk for opioid-induced respiratory depression and/or experiencing POA. Monitoring of MV can guide opioid-dosing regimens and may increase patient safety across the continuum of care.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2017
ReviewA sneak peek into digital innovations and wearable sensors for cardiac monitoring.
Many mobile phone or tablet applications have been designed to control cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes and hypertension) or to optimize treatment adherence. Some have been shown to be useful but the long-term benefits remain to be demonstrated. Digital stethoscopes make easier the interpretation of abnormal heart sounds, and the development of pocket-sized echo machines may quickly and significantly expand the use of ultrasounds. ⋯ They have the potential to change the way we monitor and treat patients with cardiovascular diseases in the hospital and beyond. Some may have the ability to improve quality of care, decrease the number of medical visits and hospitalization, and ultimately health care costs. Validation and outcome studies are needed to clarify, among the growing number of digital innovations and wearable sensors, which tools have real clinical value.