[Problems in clinical use of intraarterial blood gas monitoring system, Paratrend 7].

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the intraarterial blood gas monitoring system Paratrend 7 in clinical use. One hundred and sixty six sensors used for patients receiving thoracic, open heart or great vessel surgery were tested for one year, prospectively. Sensors were inserted through a 20 G intraarterial cannula into the radial artery before operation and removed when they malfunctioned or seemed to be not necessary for patient management in critical care unit. We encountered several problems such as, initial calibration failure (5/166), impossible sensor insertion (2/166), arterial pressure wave change (5/166), parameter display failure (21/166), and thrombus in the circuit (9/166). Parameter display failure after insertion tended to occur on patient's arm movement imparing the sensor. No serious accident, such as arterial thrombosis was experienced. Some troubles were due to staff's incorrect handling of the apparatus. Training of staffs is indispensable for safe and sufficient utilization of Paratrend 7.