The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters measured using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor.

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18-60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18-60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0-12), adolescents (aged 12-18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age.

Real-time dose adjustment using point-of-care platelet reactivity testing in a double-blind study of prasugrel in children with sickle cell anaemia.

Patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) have vaso-occlusive crises resulting from occlusive hypoxic-ischaemic injury. Prasugrel inhibits platelet activation and aggregation involved in SCA pathophysiology. Determining Effects of Platelet Inhibition on Vaso-Occlusive Events (DOVE) was a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial assessing prasugrel efficacy.

Validating a pragmatic definition of shock in adult patients presenting to the ED.

Objective: The importance of the early recognition of shock in patients presenting to emergency departments is well recognized, but at present, there is no agreed practical definition for undifferentiated shock. The main aim of this study was to validate an a priori clinical definition of shock against 28-day mortality.

Design, Setting And Subjects: This prospective, observational, cross-sectional, single-center study was conducted in Hong Kong, China.

Influence of different positions on hemodynamics derived from noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound.

A proper alignment of the ultrasound beam to the aortic or pulmonary outflow tracts is essential to acquire accurate signals. This study aimed to investigate the influence of different positions on the acquisition of Doppler signals using a noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound. This was a prospective observational crossover study.

Noninvasive transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound-derived hemodynamic reference ranges in Chinese adolescents.

Objectives: The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor is a noninvasive, quantitative method for measuring and monitoring cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters in patients. The aims of this study were first to establish reference ranges for cardiovascular indices measured by the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in Chinese children aged 12-18 yr, second to assess the interobserver reliability of the method, and third to compare these ranges with a Caucasian group from Australia.

Design, Setting, And Subjects: This was a population-based cross-sectional cohort study of Chinese adolescents 12-18 years old, performed in secondary schools in Hong Kong.

Measurement of systemic oxygen delivery and inotropy in healthy term neonates with the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM).

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the normal values for Smith-Madigan inotropy (SMI), Smith-Madigan inotropy index (SMII), oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen delivery index DO2I in healthy term neonates on the first day of life and during circulatory adaptation over the first three days of life.

Methods: Hemodynamics of the left heart were measured non-invasively in 71 normal full-term neonates over the first three days using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor (USCOM). This was combined with hemoglobin concentration from umbilical cord blood and pulse oximetry to calculate DO2 and DO2I.

Accuracy of the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor in healthy term neonates during postnatal circulatory adaptation.

Background: Echocardiography is regarded as a gold standard for measuring hemodynamic values. The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a new method for measuring hemodynamics and could provide non-invasive point of care guidance. So far, there are no published USCOM reference values for neonates, nor has USCOM's accuracy been established in this population.