| Theme | Current Topics in Monitoring Technologies for Dialysis Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Measurement of blood flow supersonic wave transit time method | |
| Publish Date | 2006/05 | |
| Author | Shinichi Tanaka | Departmeat of Clinical Engineering, Kidney Center, Tokai University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Cardiac circulatory system disorders are a common cause of death for dialysis patients. Measurement of cardiac output is important in predicting outcomes for these patients. The measurement of cardiac output is difficult during dialysis treatment because decreased hemodialysis access flow is associated with increased risk of access thrombosis. High hemodialysis access flow rates may become a cardiac onset factor for circulatory complications. Adequate blood flow must be provided by the pump. Flow values must be determined by the “kinetic” level of the pump since this is not the normal blood flow. Even though adequate blood flow may be established for recirculation, efficiency of dialysis may deteriorate. It is important to measure pump flow accurately to provide correct levels of recirculation for effective hemodialysis. The supersonic wave transit time method use differences in supersonic wave transmission and reception times to measure blood flow quantity accurately. This method may also be used to determine recirculation rates, as well as cardiac output. The measurement of blood flow quantity with the supersonic wave transit time method is effective for observation of circulatory dynamics, which is vital for proper dialysis treatment. | |