Self-calibrating pulse contour cardiac output: do validation studies really show its clinical reliability?
The present study was performed to test a new software version of the FloTrac/Vigileo using head-up-head-down tilting in post-cardiac surgery patients. Impressive improvements in Bland and Altman limits of agreement from 37.5% to 21.6% were recorded. The results, however could be attributed to a failure to produce a wide enough range of test circulatory conditions. A more rigorous test of performance is needed before any real conclusion concerning use of the FloTrac/Vigileo in clinical practice can be made.
Critchley
Lester A H
LA
Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, PR China. hcritchley@cuhk.edu.hk