Cardell MAX-12 HD - Veterinary Instrumentation

Cardell® MAX-12HD User’s ManualEnsuring an uninterrupted fluid interface between the catheter and transducerdevice is essential. Air bubbles in the transducer or extension tubing may“dampen” the signal producing errors. Correct procedural set up with“zeroing” the system is critical to ensure accurate values are measured.Attention to detail of the catheter and operating system by personnel isimportant to avoid errors and complications. Any break in the protocol maycontribute to inaccurate measurement and increased patient risk.ComplicationsReported hazards of invasive arterial pressure monitoring include vascularinjury, disconnection, accidental injection of drugs, infection, and damage tonearby nerves. In the author’s experience, accidental disconnection andinfection are two most common complications. Accidental disconnection canproduce rapid exsanguination with the risk of hypotension, shock and death ispossible if not immediately identified. Constant monitoring of the extensiontubing and connection points is important to avoid this complication.Nosocomial infection may lead to bacteremia and sepsis. Sources of infectioninclude catheter wound site, contamination of tubing and stopcocks duringroutine maintenance procedures, and reuse of non-sterile transducers.Attention to standard protocols targeted to reduce introduction of pathogens attubing connection sites or ports is also important to decrease risk in thesepatients. In recent years, “closed” tubing systems which isolate operatormaintenance functions from the primary system have become popular inhuman medicine.References:Ahrens TS, Taylor LA. Hemodynamic Waveform Analysis. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders;1992; pp. 91-120Lake CL, Hines RL, Blitt CD. Clinical Monitoring-Practical Applications for Anesthesia andCritical Care. Philadelphia PA: WB Saunders; 2001; pp. 181-204Macintire DK, Drobatz KJ, Haskins SC, Saxon WD. Manual of Small Animal Emergency andCritical Care Medicine. Philadelphia PA: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2005; pp. 73-74Parbrook GD, Davis PD, Parbrook EO: Basic Physics and Measurement in Anaesthesia, 3rded. Oxford UK: Butterworths; 1990: pp. 218-2313 Reprinted with permission from IVECCS.3 Reprinted with permission from IVECCS128 M1.0 5-15-09