Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2017
Observational StudyUsing extra systoles to predict fluid responsiveness in cardiothoracic critical care patients.
Fluid responsiveness prediction is an unsettled matter for most critical care patients and new methods relying only on the continuous basic monitoring are desired. It was hypothesized that the post-ectopic beat, which is associated with increased preload, could be analyzed in relation to preceding sinus beats and that the change in cardiac performance (e.g. systolic blood pressure) at the post-ectopic beat could predict fluid responsiveness. Cardiothoracic critical care patients scheduled for a 500 ml volume expansion were observed. ⋯ The change in pre-ejection period predicted fluid responsiveness in 22 patients correctly with 67 % specificity and 83 % sensitivity (optimal threshold: 19 ms pre-ejection period decrease), ROC area: 0.81 (CI [0.66;0.96]). Pulse pressure variation had ROC area of 0.57 (CI [0.39;0.75]). Based on standard critical care monitoring, analysis of the extra systolic post-ectopic beat predicts fluid responsiveness in cardiothoracic critical care patients with good accuracy.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2017
Comparative StudyComparison of minute distribution frequency for anesthesia start and end times from an anesthesia information management system and paper records.
Use of an anesthesia information management system (AIMS) has been reported to improve accuracy of recorded information. We tested the hypothesis that analyzing the distribution of times charted on paper and computerized records could reveal possible rounding errors, and that this effect could be modulated by differences in the user interface for documenting certain event times with an AIMS. We compared the frequency distribution of start and end times for anesthesia cases completed with paper records and an AIMS. ⋯ For case end times, the distribution of minutes recorded with AIMS was almost evenly distributed, unlike those from paper records that still showed significant end-digit preference. The accuracy of anesthesia case start times and case end times, as inferred by statistical analysis of the distribution of the times, is enhanced with the use of an AIMS. Furthermore, the differences in AIMS user interface for documenting case start and case end times likely affects the degree of end-digit preference, and likely accuracy, of those times.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2017
Case ReportsInsertion of intra-oral electrodes for cranial nerve monitoring using a Crowe-Davis retractor.
Acoustic neuroma resection is an example of a neurosurgical procedure where the brainstem and multiple cranial nerves are at risk for injury. Electrode placement for monitoring of the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves during acoustic neuroma resection can be challenging. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the use of a device for intra-oral electrode placement for intraoperative monitoring of the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves. ⋯ The tumor was resected successfully. Monitoring of the cranial nerves (including the glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal nerves) revealed no concerning responses. The Crowe-Davis retractor and the technique described allowed insertion of electrodes for neural monitoring, contributing to neural preservation.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2017
Design and validation of a questionnaire to evaluate the usability of computerized critical care information systems.
The implementation of computerized critical care information systems (CCIS) can improve the quality of clinical care and staff satisfaction, but also holds risks of disrupting the workflow with consecutive negative impacts. The usability of CCIS is one of the key factors determining their benefits and weaknesses. However, no tailored instrument exists to measure the usability of such systems. ⋯ We tested validity and reliability of the digital version of the questionnaire in a sample population. In the sample population of 535 participants both usability evaluation models showed a strong correlation with the overall rating of the system (multiple correlation coefficients ≥0.80) as well as a very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.93). The novel questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument to measure the usability of CCIS and can be used to study the influence of the usability on their implementation benefits and weaknesses.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Aug 2017
Ability and efficiency of an automatic analysis software to measure microvascular parameters.
Analysis of the microcirculation is currently performed offline, is time consuming and operator dependent. The aim of this study was to assess the ability and efficiency of the automatic analysis software CytoCamTools 1.7.12 (CC) to measure microvascular parameters in comparison with Automated Vascular Analysis (AVA) software 3.2. 22 patients admitted to the cardiothoracic intensive care unit following cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled. Sublingual microcirculatory videos were analysed using AVA and CC software. ⋯ The time required for the analysis was shorter with CC than with AVA system [2'42″ (2'12″, 3'31″) vs. 16'12″ (13'38″, 17'57″), p < 0.001]. TVD is comparable between the two softwares, although faster with CC software. The values for PVD and PPV are not interchangeable given the different approach to assess microcirculatory flow.