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Lessons learned from closed loops in engineering: towards a multivariable approach regulating depth of anaesthesia
Clara M Ionescu1, Ioana Nascu, Robin De Keyser
1Department of Electrical Energy, Systems and Automation, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 913, 9052, Gent-Zwijnaarde, Belgium, ClaraMihaela.Ionescu@UGent.be.
Abstract:
In this paper is presented a brief state of art regarding the multivariable formulation for controlling the depth of anaesthesia by means of two intravenously administrated drugs, i.e. propofol and remifentanil. In a feasibility study of determining a suitable variable to quantify analgesia levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the bispectral index and an electromyogram-based surrogate variable are proposed as the controlled variables. The study is carried on in the context of implementing a multivariable predictive control algorithm. The simulation results show that such a paradigm is feasible, although it does not guarantee perfect knowledge of the analgesia level-in other words, the variable is not validated against typical evaluations of the pain levels (e.g. clinical scores).
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