Evaluation of closed-loop control of arterial pressure after cardiopulmonary bypass

A closed loop computer system has been developed to deliver sodium nitroprusside (by infusion) to control systolic arterial pressure (SAP) after cardiopulmonary bypass. The performance of the closed-loop control system was evaluated by comparing nurse and computer control of SAP in 60 patients during the early postoperative period. The computer system provided better control of SAP than manual control by a member of the nursing staff.