International journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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Most anesthesiologists, relying upon sales presentations from salesmen from oximeter manufacturers, believe that if an oximeter produces a steady signal with a good pulse amplitude, the numbers are always believable in the absence of interference from external light sources or from intravenous dyes. Here I report a case in which an oximeter appeared to be working properly yet displayed values which were falsely low. Trust in the oximeter resulted in delayed identification of the problem.
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Int J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 1989
EEG and SEMG monitoring during induction and maintenance of anesthesia with propofol.
Propofol has been used as IV induction (2 mg/kg) and maintenance agent (150 micrograms/kg/min and 100 micrograms/kg/min after 30 min), combined with N2O/O2 in 16 premedicated (atropine 0.5 mg, Thalamonal 2 ml IM) and mechanically ventilated patients, having ear surgery or arthroscopy. Cranial biopotentials were analysed by 2 different techniques: 1. The Anesthesia and Brain Activity Monitor (ABM Datex) providing the zero crossing frequency (ZXF) as a value for the mean frequency of the EEG signal during a considered time interval, the mean integrated voltage (MIV) as a mean value of the amplitude of the same EEG signal and the spontaneous electromyography of the frontal muscle (SEMG). 2. ⋯ A correlation was looked for between the EEG changes and the propofol blood concentrations. The higher the propofol blood concentrations, the more pronounced the low frequency bands. The appearance of beta waves or a ZXF greater than 10 Hz indicates pending arrousal.
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Int J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 1989
A microcomputer system for on-line monitoring of pulmonary function during artificial ventilation.
Standard monitoring of the artificially ventilated patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) and during anaesthesia includes repeated determinations of arterial blood gases, airway pressure and expired volume. However, there is a need for more extensive monitoring of the critically ill ventilator treated patient, and this is possible by better utilization of modern technology. Information on a variety of variables related to both pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange has long been accessible in the lung-function laboratory. ⋯ In studies of ten artificially ventilated patients the coefficients of variation (CV) were below 10% for directly obtained variables (tidal volume, airway pressure, end-tidal and mixed expired carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide production, airway dead space), whereas the derived variables (compliance, phase III carbon dioxide slope) were associated with greater variability, with CVs ranging from 1.3 to 24% (median 6.25% and 8.65% respectively). The accuracy in estimating dead space variations was checked in two ventilator-treated patients by adding known dead space volumes. Simple regression analysis yielded an r value of 0.98 indicating adequate correctness of measurements and calculations.