Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2002
Performance of a real-time dicrotic notch detection and prediction algorithm in arrhythmic human aortic pressure signals.
A novel algorithm for real-time detection and prediction of the dicrotic notch from aortic pressure waves was evaluated in arrhythmic aortic pressure signals from heart failure patients. A simplified model of the arterial tree was used to calculate real-time aortic flow from aortic pressure. The dicrotic notch was detected at the first negative dip from the calculated flow, prediction of the notch was performed using a percentage of the decreasing flow. ⋯ Prediction of the dicrotic notch was tested at 40%, 20%, and 0% of the decreasing calculated aortic flow. The mean time-delays to the notch were 68 +/- 14 ms, 55 +/- 12 ms, and 43 +/- 8 ms, respectively. Given these small variability, intra-beat prediction of the dicrotic notch may be used for real-time intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation inflation timing.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2002
Monitoring pulmonary function with superimposed pulmonary gas exchange curves from standard analyzers.
A repetitive graphic display of the single breath pulmonary function can indicate changes in cardiac and pulmonary physiology brought on by clinical events. Parallel advances in computer technology and monitoring make real-time, single breath pulmonary function clinically practicable. We describe a system built from a commercially available airway gas monitor and off the shelf computer and data-acquisition hardware. ⋯ This paper describes a real-time, single breath pulmonary monitoring system that displays three parameters graphed against time: expired flow rate, oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production. This system allows for early and rapid recognition of treatable conditions that may lead to adverse events without any additional patient measurements or invasive procedures. Monitoring systems similar to the one described in this paper may lead to a higher level of patient safety without any additional patient risk.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2002
Comparative StudyComparison of endotracheal tube and hookwire electrodes for monitoring the vagus nerve.
Monitoring the vagus nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgical procedures may reduce the probability of significant nerve injury. As such, a number of methods to monitor these nerves have been devised including placing electrodes directly into the vocal cords or recording from surface electrodes. In direct comparison, monitoring the identical muscles, bipolar hookwire electrodes displayed approximately one order of magnitude greater amplitude, of both spontaneously occurring and evoked electrical activity than double wire endotracheal tube electrodes. The enhanced sensitivity of the hookwire electrodes, despite the technical difficulties with placement, suggests their use when maximum sensitivity is required.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2002
Real-time pulse oximetry artifact annotation on computerized anaesthetic records.
Adoption of computerised anaesthesia record keeping systems has been limited by the concern that they record artifactual data and accurate data indiscriminately. Data resulting from artifacts does not reflect the patient's true condition and presents a problem in later analysis of the record, with associated medico-legal implications. This study developed an algorithm to automatically annotate pulse oximetry artifacts and sought to evaluate the algorithm's accuracy in routine surgical procedures. ⋯ The real-time artifact detection algorithm developed in this study was more accurate than anaesthetists who post-operatively reviewed records produced by an existing computerised anaesthesia record keeping system. Algorithms have the potential to more accurately identify and annotate artifacts on computerised anaesthetic records, assisting clinicians to more correctly interpret abnormal data.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2002
Improving accuracy of the chemiluminescent analyser for measurement of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide in respired gas.
The aim of this study was to improve the accuracy of the chemiluminescent analyser in the measurement of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in both dry and humidified gas mixtures containing oxygen (O2) in varying concentrations. This work was performed because initial attempts to determine rate constants for the decay of NO and rates of formation of NO2 were unsuccessful. ⋯ This study indicates that for accurate analysis of NO and NO2 concentrations in airway gases a rigorous calibration of the instrument for the conditions applying in the experiment is mandatory. Once this is achieved the instrument is capable of precise analysis of both gases.