Efficient Monitoring with a Digital Computer of Cardiovascular Function in Seriously Ill Patients

Abstract

An automated system in which changes in the physiological state of critically ill patients are monitored by a digital computer has been developed for immediate use by the physician in evaluating the status of the patient and his response to treatment. Primary measurements include arterial and venous pressure, the electrocardiogram, temperature at various points of the body and urinary output. These are obtained by automated techniques and reported routinely at 5 min. intervals. During a crisis, such as cardiac arrest, readings are obtained as often as every minute. Cardiac output and measurements closely related to cardiac output, such as appearance time and mean circulation time of dye, stroke volume, central blood volume, vascular resistance and work done by the heart, are also calculated and reported as often as every 10 min. Selected parameters are plotted and summary reports are generated to Indicate the sequence of changes in a readily understandable form. Continuing development of the system includes the immediate use of data obtained to formulate a computer model of the physiological state of the patient.