International journal of clinical monitoring and computing
-
Int J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 1996
Comparative StudyAbdominal surgery alters the calibration of bioimpedance cardiac output measurement.
The performance of impedance cardiography (TEBco), using the BoMed NCCOM3-R7S, and thermodilution (TDco) were compared in eight patients during major abdominal surgery. An opioid, volatile and relaxant anaesthetic technique was employed. This was supplemented with an epidural in five cases. ⋯ Shifts could be explained by deficiencies in the algorithm used to calculate TEBco. Current TEBco technology is too inaccurate for intra-operative use. However, under stable operating conditions TEBco and TDco showed good repeatability.
-
Int J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 1996
Automatic record keeping in anaesthesia--a nine-year Italian experience.
In 1986, in Buccheri La Ferla Hospital, Palermo, an anaesthesia information management project was started. Its aim was to develop a computerized anaesthesia workstation. Today, the system is in daily clinical use and has reached most of its original goals: Automatic collection of physiological signals and patient monitor trends is possible by means of analog-digital conversion or by using serial data transfer. ⋯ This number increases by 3,300 every year. With increasing computer utilization in patient treatment there have been no legal or administrative controversies. Based on nine years' experience, it is clear that the use of computers in anaesthesia practice improves quality of patient care.
-
Int J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 1996
Optimal surface electrode positioning for reliable train of four muscle relaxation monitoring.
In the clinic, a major problem in train of four (TOF) muscle relaxation monitoring is incorrect placement of stimulation and recording electrodes, frequently resulting in incorrect estimates of the patient's degree of relaxation or in abandonment of relaxation monitoring. The aim of this study was to arrive at recommendations that describe how to find optimal positions for the electrodes, where 'optimal' is taken in the sense that small deviations from these positions introduce no or only a small decline in the accuracy of the computed degree of muscle relaxation. ⋯ In a second test in 10 patients, we tested a variety of electrode positions in order to discover 'optimal' stimulation, recording and ground electrode sites. In a third test in 10 patients, electrodes were positioned at these 'optimal' sites; stimulation and recording at these sites was successful in all 10 cases.