Understanding simple monitoring in paediatric intensive care

Abstract 

The development of reliable and affordable technology has made a significant impact in the care of the critically ill and it is now widely accepted that monitoring is a vital component in patient care. Arterial blood pressure can be measured by indirect and direct means although both can be subject to error in measurement. Arterial and central venous pressure provides numerical readings but the waveforms allow for further diagnostic interpretation. Pulse oximetry calculates oxygen saturation and encourages the clinician to think in terms of oxygen delivery, but can lead to errors with poor peripheral perfusion and with carboxyhaemoglobinaemia. Capnography gives an index of ventilation but further waveform analysis can be diagnostic of low cardiac output or bronchoconstriction. This review focuses on some of the practical uses and limitations of certain commonly used intensive care monitoring devices.

Keywords:  Intensive care, Monitoring physiologic, Oximetry, Capnography, Central venous pressure