[Assessment of patient movement in interventional procedures using electromagnetic detection - comparison between...

To assess patient movement on a vacuum mattress compared to a standard viscoelastic mattress during interventional procedures using an electromagnetic tracking device.

In 17 consecutive patients who underwent a diagnostic or interventional procedure, the patient was positioned using a vacuum mattress (VL, n = 9) or a standard viscoelastic mattress (SL, n = 8). The patient position was recorded continuously after the start of the procedure (S) using an electromagnetic navigation device. After the intervention (E), patients were asked to lift up the upper part of the body and to lie down again (repositioning maneuver, P). Based on the recorded patient positions, the patient movement (PM) at rest ΔP(SE), PM due to the repositioning maneuver ΔP(EP), total PM ΔP(SP) and maximum PM during the intervention ΔPMax(SE) were calculated.

Using VL, PM at rest (ΔP[SE]: VL: 4.3 ± 2.8 mm, SL: 17.1 ± 15.7 mm; p = 0.036) and total PM (ΔP[SP]: VL: 4.6 mm ± 2.5 ± mm, SL: 27.8 ± 19.6 mm; p = 0.002) were significantly smaller. In contrast, the maximum PM as a parameter for the mobility of the patient (ΔPMax(SE): VL: 14.2 ± 15.1 mm, SL: 17.6 ± 13.4 mm; p = 0.48) and the PM due to the repositioning maneuver (ΔP[EP]: VL: 4.4 ± 2.5 mm, SL: 15.7 mm ± 15.9 mm, p = 0.32) were similar.

Patient positioning on a vacuum mattress is fast, easy, comfortable for the patient and reduces relevant patient movements. Therefore, vacuum mattress positioning can be used for image-guided interventions relying on preprocedural imaging data, where minimal patient movement is a prerequisite.