[Signal analysis of the hemodynamics of extracorporeal circulation for the evaluation of patient status].

The present paper describes the intra-operative evaluation of circulation dynamics during open-heart surgery, with the aim of providing the anaesthetist with objective data for assessing patient status during the procedure. For this purpose, the parameters pulse wave velocity and biological impedance were used. With the aid of these parameters it is possible, in the extracorporeal model, to detect different kinds of stenosis, volume losses, vessel dilatation and vessel constriction. In addition, the influence of arteriosclerosis on circulation dynamics was investigated. The assignment of the parameters to various events is effected using a "decision tree" and a neural network. Finally, the technique is verified using data obtained from animal experiments.