Comparison of Accu Chek Inform II point-of-care test blood glucose meter with Hexokinase Plasma method for a diabetes mellitus population during surgery under general anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Blood glucose (BG) concentrations of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) are monitored during surgery to prevent hypo- and hyperglycemia. Access to point-of-care test (POCT) glucose meters at an operating room will usually provide monitoring at shorter intervals and may improve glycemic control. However, these meters are not validated for patients under general anesthesia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 75 arterial BG measurements from 75 patients (71 with DM, mostly insulin dependent) who underwent elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia. Arterial blood samples were taken at least 60 minutes after induction. One drop of blood was used for Accu Chek Inform II (ACI II) POCT BG meter and the residual blood was sent to the clinical laboratory for a Hexokinase Plasma reference method. A Bland-Altman plot was used to visualize the differences between both methods, and correlation was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The results showed an estimated mean difference of 0.8 mmol/L between ACI II and the reference method, with limits of agreement equal to -0.6 and 2.2 mmol/L. In general, the reference method produced higher values than ACI II. ICC was 0.955 (95% CI 0.634-0.986), P < 0.001, and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was 0.955 (95% CI 0.933-0.970). CONCLUSION: Arterial BG measurements during surgery in patients with DM under general anesthesia using POCT BG meter are in general lower than laboratory measurements, but the ICC and CCC show a clinically acceptable correlation. We conclude that POCT measurements conducted on arterial specimens using the ACI II provide sufficiently accurate results for glucose measurement during surgery under general anesthesia.

Interstitial fluid volume during cardiac surgery measured by means of a non-invasive conductivity technique.

Fluid accumulation in the interstitium is frequently found after cardiac surgery. In extreme this can lead to pulmonary and myocardial oedema. The origin of this accumulation is not exactly known and may be twofold. It is probably a combination of the noninfectious whole body inflammatory response and a change in Starling forces due to a decrease in colloid osmotic pressure (COP) which is caused by the primed extracorporeal circuit. To study the changes in interstitial fluid volume (ISFV) a non-invasive conductivity technique was used. The relationship between temperature and conductivity was first investigated in vitro. A linear relationship was found between conductivity and different saline solutions and temperature. From the in vitro experiments it can be concluded that temperature corrected conductivity does not depend on haematocrit. After the in vitro experiments eleven patients undergoing cardiac surgery were studied. During the first minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) a steep significant decrease in COP to 61.4 +/- 6.9% (from 19.6 +/- 1.1 to 12.0 +/- 1.2 mmHg), and a rise in ISFV to 105.5 +/- 2.8% (from 12.3 +/- 1.4 mS to 14.0 +/- 1.3 mS) was noticed. After this decrease COP increased significantly, till the end of the operation, but did not reach the pre-operative level. An increase in ISFV was noticed till the rewarming point. After this point no significant change in ISFV was noticed. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between the fluid balance and the ISFV increase at the start, at the end of CPB, and at the end of the operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Non-invasive conductivity technique to detect changes in haematocrit: in vitro validation.

An on-line haematocrit measurement in extracorporeal circuits might be useful under some clinical circumstances (e.g. haemodialysis or cardiac surgery). As no such measurement exists, a device has been developed that makes it possible to detect haematocrit (Ht) continuously without a loss of blood. It is a multi-frequency system for the detection of electrical conductivities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this device can measure Ht alterations properly. Ht alterations were induced by adding pure mannitol and 20% mannitol to fresh human blood. Furthermore, the effect of both mannitol substances on the intracellular ion content, intracellular conductivity and Ht were investigated. Alternations in Ht were established by the addition of 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200 and 0 mg of pure mannitol to 10 ml of fresh human blood, and 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5 and 0 ml of 20% mannitol to fresh human blood until a total volume of 10 ml was achieved. Although their effects were significantly different, pure mannitol and 20% mannitol both caused a reduction in mean cellular volume, and thus in Ht. A highly significant correlation was found between Ht and intracellular conductivity (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). In addition to these effects, addition of pure mannitol and 20% mannitol had different effects on the intracellular ion content. Pure mannitol caused an increase in intracellular ion content due to a transcellular ion shift, whereas 20% mannitol induced a decrease. From this study, it can be concluded that the multi-frequency conductivity method observes changes in Ht (and intracellular fluid volume) in an accurate manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Plasma endothelin levels and vascular effects of intravenous L-arginine infusion in subjects with uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

1. Uncomplicated insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with generalized vasodilatation. This vasodilatation is believed to contribute to the development of microvascular complications. The endothelium plays an important role in the regulation of vascular tone. 2. To investigate the role of endothelial mediators, we measured plasma endothelin levels and studied the vascular effects of intravenous L-arginine (the precursor of NO) in 10 male type 1 diabetic patients and 10 non-diabetic subjects. 3. The baseline plasma endothelin level was significantly lower in the diabetic patients [mean 1.7 (SD 0.5) versus 2.1 (0.4) pmol/l; P < 0.05] than in the control subjects. 4. During L-arginine infusion, plasma cyclic GMP (the second messenger for NO) increased in the control subjects [from 5.1 (2.9) to 6.9 (2.9) nmol/l; P < 0.05 versus saline] and in the diabetic patients [from 4.6 (1.8) to 5.7 (2.2) nmol/l; P = 0.09]. L-Citrulline (a by-product of NO synthesis from L-arginine) increased in both groups. The responses to L-arginine were not significantly different between the control subjects and the diabetic patients. The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level did not change in either group during infusion of L-arginine or of an equal volume of isotonic saline. 5. Blood pressure decreased slightly during L-arginine administration in both groups. In control subjects, the extracellular fluid volume in the lower leg increased during L-arginine infusion as compared with saline; in the diabetic patients both L-arginine and saline increased the extracellular fluid volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The influence of Ringer's lactate and gelatin infusion on the internal fluid balance of healthy volunteers measured by a non-invasive conductivity technique.

Eight healthy male volunteers received in random order at an interval of 1 week 2 litres of Ringer's lactate or 0.8 litre of gelatin (Gelofusine) over half an hour, after overnight fasting. At the end of the infusion period, blood volume and mean arterial pressure had increased significantly in both groups but the increase in blood volume was more pronounced with the colloid. Extracellular fluid volume increased significantly after Ringer's lactate, while a significant decrease was noticed after gelatin. A small decrease in intracellular fluid volume was noted after infusion of Gelofusine, whereas it did not change after infusion of Ringer's lactate. During the 30 min after infusion, blood volume decreased significantly after both treatments but after the colloid it remained higher than the initial value. During the post-infusion period, no significant changes in either intra- or extracellular volume were seen after either treatments. At the end of the study, urine production was significantly more after the Ringer's lactate. It can be concluded that infusion of 0.8 litre of gelatin results in a larger and longer lasting increase in blood volume than 2 litres of Ringer's lactate, probably due to mobilization of extracellular fluid volume. It also leads to extracellular fluid accumulation. The decrease in blood volume after infusion is caused by increased urine production, since no changes were seen in intra- and extracellular fluid volume during this period.

Non-invasive monitoring of blood volume during hemodialysis: its relation with post-dialytic dry weight.

Hemodialysis has a profound effect on fluid balance. Since fluid is initially withdrawn from the intravascular compartment, blood volume will decrease rapidly. A fluid shift (refill) from the overhydrated interstitium towards the intravascular compartment counteracts hypovolemia. Underestimation of postdialytic dry weight will cause interstitial dehydration and consequently a low refill capacity. This can cause hypovolemia-induced hypotension, a serious problem in the daily practice of hemodialysis: during one out of three sessions a hypotensive episode occurs. Clinical criteria to estimate post-dialytic dry weight are insensitive. We have developed non-invasive methods to estimate dry weight and changes in blood volume (BV) more accurately. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between hydration state of the patient and changes in BV during treatment. Therefore, 37 hemodialysis patients were divided into three groups according to their post-dialytic extracellular fluid volume (EFV), which was measured by means of the non-invasive conductivity method: de- (N = 11), normo- (N = 18), and overhydrated (N = 8). Using an on-line optical reflection method, changes in BV were measured continuously during hemodialysis. BV decrease, corrected for ultrafiltration, was stronger in the dehydrated (4.4 +/- 1.5%/liter) than in the normohydrated (3.3 +/- 1.5%/liter) and overhydrated (2.7 +/- 1.9%/liter) groups. In the dehydrated group, the frequency of hypotensive episodes (48.5 +/- 20.2%) was significantly greater compared to the normohydrated (20.5 +/- 23.5%) or overhydrated (6.5 +/- 6.5%) group, P < 0.005.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of postdialysis dry weight: a comparison of techniques.

Because clinical indices of hydration state are insensitive, the estimation of correct postdialysis dry weight is still major problem. Recently, some new techniques have been introduced to assess postdialysis dry weight more accurately. The plasma concentrations of the biochemical markers atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and cGMP are related to intravascular hydration state. The echographically measured inferior caval vein diameter (VCD) is linked to right atrial pressure and blood volume (BV). Regional noninvasive conductivity measurements provide information about regional extracellular fluid volume (EFV). In this study of postdialysis ANP and cGMP concentrations, VCD and EFV yielded postdialysis diagnoses of hydration state in 18 patients on maintenance dialysis. In order to verify the established diagnosis, hemodynamic and BV changes during dialysis were studied. In postdialysis underhydrated patients, differentiated according to VCD and EFV standards, a pronounced decrease in BV, stroke volume, and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter compared with postdialysis normohydrated patients was observed. Hemodynamic and BV changes during dialysis were identical in the groups selected according to postdialysis ANP level. Only a difference in BV decrease was demonstrated between the groups selected according to postdialysis cGMP. Predialysis and postdialysis VCD correlated well with the corresponding EFV (r = 0.7 and r = 0.8, respectively). Because VCD and EFV were related and interpretation yielded diagnoses of postdialysis hydration state that were substantiated by the finding of classical hemodynamic features of underhydration, both are an asset in the diagnosis of postdialysis dry weight. cGMP values are less informative, and ANP does not provide any information at all.

Determination of capillary leakage due to recombinant interleukin-2 by means of noninvasive conductivity measurements.

One of the most common side effects of treatment with recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) is capillary leakage. Its genesis is not completely understood. The aim of the study was to determine whether capillary leakage can be monitored by means of a noninvasive conductivity technique and to study its starting point. Eight patients with advanced renal cell cancer were studied in a medium care section of the Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital over 4 days during treatment sessions of continuous, intravenously administered IL-2 (mean dose of 15.6 x 10(6) IU.m-2.day-1). The fluid shift from the intravascular to the extra- and intracellular compartments was monitored by means of noninvasive conductivity measurements. Changes in blood volume were calculated from serial erythrocyte counts. The clinical parameters of capillary leakage (oliguria, positive fluid balance, and gain in mass) were recorded. The mean gain in mass was 9% after 4 days of IL-2 treatment. The extracellular fluid volume increased significantly [46 (SD 23.2)%; P < 0.01], whereas the intracellular fluid volume did not change. The increase in blood volume (BV) amounted to 7% (P < 0.05). The decline in albumin concentration was significantly more than the increase in BV [38 (SD 4.3)%; P < 0.01], indicating capillary albumin leakage. The main changes were observed after the 2nd day of treatment. From this study, it is suggested that conductivity measurements are a suitable method to monitor capillary leakage induced by IL-2, and could be used to detect the exact onset and severity of this leakage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Non-invasive conductivity method for detection of dynamic body fluid changes: in vitro and in vivo validation.

Since intracellular and extracellular fluid volume (ICV, ECV) cannot be measured under dynamic circumstances, a non-invasive conductivity technique was developed for this purpose. To validate the technique, experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed. In vitro, dilution of blood led to a variation in haematocrit, which could be calculated accurately by means of the low-frequency conductivity value combined with the plasma conductivity value. Combination of high- and low-frequency conductivity values made calculation of haematocrit possible without measuring plasma conductivity. Changes in mean cellular volume, caused by addition of osmotically active substances, were detectable in the same way. Haemolysis of blood cells was performed to validate the intracellular conductivity. For in vivo validation the effects of position change (erect to supine) and of 40 mg frusemide i.v. were investigated. Position change caused a significant decrease in ECV and tended to increase blood volume (BV). Frusemide caused a mean iso-osmotic urine production of 1.8 +/- 0.2 litres. ECV decreased 12.3 +/- 2.0% (P < 0.05), while ICV increased 5.0 +/- 3.0% (P < 0.05). BV decreased by 7.0 +/- 5.4% (P < 0.05), while mean blood pressure increased (P < 0.05). Changes in both ECV and in ICV were correlated with diuresis (r = 0.88 and r = 0.85 respectively; P < 0.01). The ICV increase was unexpected and might be caused by an aldosterone-induced transcellular sodium influx. From both studies it can be concluded that non-invasive conductivity measurements are reliable for detecting changes in ECV and ICV under dynamic circumstances.

Continuous measurement of blood volume during hemodialysis by an optical method.

A new method is described to noninvasively and continuously measure changes in blood volume (BV) during hemodialysis by means of an optical reflection method with an optical monitor (950 nm) clipped onto the arterial blood line. The amount of reflected light (L) appeared to be linearly proportional to the erythrocyte concentration (r = 0.91). Changes in L correlated well with changes in erythrocyte concentration during hemodialysis (r = 0.94). A study in 10 patients on regular dialysis was done. The BV decrease after 3 hr of treatment was 17.0 +/- 5.2%, and it correlated with the amount of fluid withdrawn by ultrafiltration (mean, 2,519 +/- 589 ml). Five hypotensive episodes were seen that were characterized by a higher rate of BV fall during the preceding 15 min (9.9 +/- 1.9 versus 3.6 +/- 4.3%/hrp; p < 0.05) and by a lower BV value at that moment (78.2 +/- 3.4 versus 84.5 +/- 4.5%; p < 0.025) than in the other five patients at comparable times. It was concluded that this optical method was a means to detect hypovolemia at an early stage and to prevent ultrafiltration induced hypotension.

The recovery of the fluid balance after hemodialysis and hemofiltration.

Dialysis dysequilibrium syndrome is a frequent complication of renal replacement therapy and seems to be related to changes in fluid balance. From previous studies it is known that these changes are less pronounced during hemofiltration (HF), leading to a lower incidence of complaints compared to hemodialysis (HD). To assess the severity and duration of the dysequilibrium syndrome, intracellular (ICV) and extracellular fluid volumes (ECV) were measured during and after HD and HF by means of a non-invasive conductivity method. Blood volume changes were calculated from pre- and post-treatment erythrocyte counts. Seven HD and eight HF patients were studied. Ultrafiltration volume did not differ between both groups. Blood volume decrease was less during HF due to a significant decrease in ICV, the latter being in contrast to an ICV increment during HD. The significant decrease in ICV led to a less severe decrease in ECV (90 versus 85%). Overall, this resulted in a better vascular refill during HF. At the end of treatment ICV and ECV were not in equilibrium yet. During the recovery period ICV increased roughly 3% in the HF group. In the HD group some patients showed an increase while others showed a decrease in ICV. Overall, no change in ICV was noticed. During recovery ECV decreased further in both groups. The measured recovery period was significantly shorter after HF (245 +/- 68 min) than after HD (299 +/- 37), supporting the hypothesis that HF is a more physiological way of treatment compared to HD.

Influence of high and low sodium dialysis on blood volume preservation.

Haemodialysis has a profound effect on fluid balance. Since fluid is initially withdrawn from the intravascular compartment, hypovolaemia is a frequent complication. A fluid shift from the overhydrated interstitium towards the intravascular compartment can counteract hypovolaemia. However, a fast decline in extracellular osmolality may cause an increase in the intracellular volume, reducing the available amount of fluid to compensate for the hypovolaemia. To overcome this problem, the use of alternating high and low sodium dialysate is advocated. In this study six patients were studied during standard haemodialysis (HD) and during dialysis with alternating high and low sodium dialysate (HLSD). Changes in intracellular fluid volume (IFV) and extracellular fluid volume (EFV) of tissue and blood were measured by means of a non-invasive electrical conductivity method. Changes in blood volume (BV) were studied by serial erythrocyte counts. Plasma sodium concentration was determined at regular intervals. The distribution volume of sodium during the high and low sodium episodes of HLSD was calculated according to a mathematical model. HLSD led to fluctations in plasma sodium concentration that induced changes in red cell volume, but not in IFV. Distribution of sodium was largely confined to blood. BV was better preserved during HLSD than during HD, probably due to a higher mean plasma sodium concentration. Postdialysis sodium concentration however, was not significantly different between HLSD and HD. These data suggest that the better BV preservation during HLSD results from an induced osmotic gradient across the capillary wall, rather than from an osmotic gradient across the cell membrane.

Fluid balance during haemodialysis and haemofiltration: the effect of dialysate sodium and a variable ultrafiltration rate.

One of the main causes of hypotension during extracorporeal renal replacement therapy is an insufficient substitution of the ultrafiltrated plasma water by tissue water. To investigate the fluid balance and its effects on hypotension in dialysed patients, the following variables were studied: intracellular fluid volume (IFV) and extracellular fluid volume (EFV), blood volume (BV) and blood pressure. IFV and EFV were measured by means of non-invasive electrical conductivity measurements using four electrodes round the leg. Fifteen haemofiltration (HF) and 15 haemodialysis (HD) patients were studied. The latter group was dialysed in three ways: (1) conventionally, i.e. with dialysate sodium of 138 mmol/l (HD) (2) with a variable dialysate sodium (first half: 138 mmol/l; second half: 146 mmol/l) (HDS), and (3) with the same variable dialysate sodium and an ultrafiltration profile (two-thirds was withdrawn during the first half of treatment, the remainder during the second half) (HDSU). Hypotension frequency was less during HDS, HDSU, and HF compared to HD. This was caused by a more stable blood volume due to a better refill. During HD a fluid shift occurred from the EC to the IC compartment. The use of a high sodium dialysate concentration led to a transcellular fluid shift in the opposite direction. This fluid shift increased the refill, thereby stabilising blood volume. HF gave a better refill than HDS and HDSU, probably due to a reduced urea clearance.

The influence of dialysate sodium and variable ultrafiltration on fluid balance during hemodialysis.

An important factor in the development of hypotension during hemodialysis (HD) is a decrease in blood volume, due to ultrafiltration (UF) and an insufficient refill of the intravascular compartment. This insufficient refill might be caused by a transcellular fluid shift from the extracellular to the intracellular compartment. We studied the influence of dialysate sodium concentration and UF rate on the refill rate, blood volume, intracellular (ICV) and extracellular fluid volume (ECV). Three different HD strategies were studied in 15 patients: (A) conventional HD (dialysate sodium 140 mmol/L); (B) HD with a sodium profile (140-148 mmol/L); and (C) HD with a sodium profile and a variable UF rate (high-low UF rate). ICV and ECV were measured by non-invasive conductivity measurements, blood volume was calculated from erythrocyte counts before and after treatment. Blood volume decrease was most pronounced during conventional HD, due to insufficient refilling without a detectable transcellular fluid shift. The sum of the decrease in ICV and EVC was less than during (B) and (C). The insufficient refill led to a higher prevalence of hypotension and cramps. The strategies (B) and (C) led to an significant and comparable transcellular fluid shift to the extracellular compartment. Thus, the use of a sodium profile led to a better intravascular refill and clinical tolerance of HD. Addition of a UF profile did not improve this any further.