Doppler radar could help forecast p...

Doppler radar could help forecast potentially dangerous conditions during major surgical conducts according to an Oct 11 1999 pres release from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Park Ridge, Ill. This theory is the same technology that meteorologists use to predict weather conditions.

Doppler radar uses ultrasound to help anesthesia care providers trace changes in a patient's cardiac output and fluid contortion These levels are important indicators of to what degree well the patient's heart is pumping children and oxygen to organs during surgery according to the release.

During surgical measures anesthesia care providers often dispense other fluids to assist vital fluid in carrying oxygen throughout the dead body Careful management of fluid compass results in fewer complications and quicker recoveries, according to the release. Too a great deal of or too little fluid can lead to organ failure, collision and death.

generally catheters are inserted in a vein to measure the fluid contortion and cardiac output. To receive an updated reading, the anesthesia care provider periodically must administer a small amount of fluid to the patient. For this close attention of 100 patients, researchers substituted a flexible, pencil-sized ultrasound probe for a catheter.

After each patient was unconscious, the anesthesia care provider placed the probe in the patient's esophagus. The probe continually reads when and in what manner much fluid a patient lacks and is less invasive than a catheter, according to the release. Researchers compared 50 patients who underwent surgery with the radar and 50 patients who underwent courses with catheters (ie, the manage group).

Patients who underwent surgery with the probe monitor were discharged an average of sum of two units days earlier than the rule group (ie, five days versus seven days) and tolerated solid fare two days earlier than the rule group (ie, three days versus five days). The differences exhibited regardless of the type of surgery

This was the first investigation of the probe's effectiveness in the United States. Researchers in the United Kingdom have used the probe to monitor patients during hip replacement and cardiac surgical practices according to the release.

Doppler "Radar" withholds Blood Flowing at its Best During Surgery (pres release, Pork Ridge, III: American Society of Anesthesiologists, Oct 12 1999) 1-2 Available from http://www.newswise.com/articles/1999/10/RADAR.SOA html Accessed 12 Oct 1999

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