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Evaluation of a respiratory rate monitor in postsurgical patients
W Anderson1, A J Brock-Utne, J G Brock-Utne
1Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA.
Study Objective:
To evaluate the clinical use of a cardiorespiratory rate monitor in patients receiving epidural opioids following major surgery.
Design:
For 6 hours during the night following surgery, patients were continuously monitored with a cardiorespiratory rate monitor and a pulse oximeter, as well as by an in-room observer.
Setting:
Postoperative surgical ward at a university hospital.
Patients:
Eight ASA physical status I and II patients ages 30 to 76 years.
Interventions:
Any bradypneic, hypoxemic, bradycardic, or tachycardic event was confirmed by the observer and recorded.
Measurements And Main Results:
The cardiorespiratory rate monitor accurately identified true bradypneic episodes in five of the eight patients. There were no false-positive alarms. The respiratory rate monitor and the pulse oximeter identified one episode of hypoxemia. There were no episodes of bradycardia or tachycardia.
Conclusions:
The cardiorespiratory rate monitor is useful in patients at risk for bradypnea following surgery.
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