Feasibility of continuous noninvasive arterial pressure monitoring in a prehospital setting, measurements during emergency transfer

Objectives In severely injured or acutely ill patients close monitoring of blood pressure (BP) can be crucial. At the prehospital scene and during transfer to hospital, the BP is usually monitored using intermittent oscillometric measurements with an upper arm cuff every 3–5 min. The BP can be monitored noninvasively and continuously using the continuous noninvasive arterial pressure (CNAP) device. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of a CNAP device in a prehospital setting. Patients and methods The study was an observational convenience study. The CNAP device was applied to the patient once in the ambulance and measurements were carried out during transfer to hospital. The primary object was the number of patients in whom the CNAP could monitor the BP continuously in a prehospital area en route to hospital. Results Fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this study. Fifty-four (92%) patients had their BP monitored continuously by the CNAP. The main reasons for missing data were a mean BP below the detectable range, reduced pulse wave caused by constricted arteries in the fingers, or patients’ excessive movements. The CNAP provided continuous measurements after a median of 164.5 s. No complications and no adverse events were observed. Conclusion Continuous measurement of the BP obtained by the CNAP device is feasible and safe in a prehospital setting under potentially difficult conditions. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. https://ift.tt/1hexVwJ Correspondence to Louise H. Hansen, MD, Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark Tel: +45 6541 4943; e-mail: louise.houlberg.hansen@rsyd.dk Received February 11, 2018 Accepted May 28, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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