Anderson W, Brock-Utne A J, Brock-Utne J G, Brodsky J B
Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA.
J Clin Anesth. 1992 Jul-Aug;4(4):289-91. doi: 10.1016/0952-8180(92)90131-j.
To evaluate the clinical use of a cardiorespiratory rate monitor in patients receiving epidural opioids following major surgery.
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.
Postoperative surgical ward at a university hospital.
Eight ASA physical status I and II patients ages 30 to 76 years.
Any bradypneic, hypoxemic, bradycardic, or tachycardic event was confirmed by the observer and recorded.
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.
The cardiorespiratory rate monitor is useful in patients at risk for bradypnea following surgery.
