| Theme | Current topics in medical engineering technologies for dialysis therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Effective utilization of laser blood flowmeter | |
| Publish Date | 2019/05 | |
| Author | Kei Eguchi | Department of Clinical Engineering, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital |
| Author | Michio Mineshima | Department of Clinical Engineering, Tokyo Women's Medical University |
| [ Summary ] | A medical laser blood flowmeter was recently applied clinically, attracting attention. The earlobe blood flow rate indirectly indicates the cerebral blood flow rate, while the skin blood flow rate measured by the fingertip represents the peripheral circulatory dynamics. As a clinical application, the laser blood flowmeter can be used as a shock monitor during hemodialysis or as a risk classification of orthostatic hypotension. It is known to be a substitute for blood pressure monitoring since there is standard pattern in the transition of earlobe blood flow during hemodialysis and a certain correlation is found between systolic blood pressure and earlobe blood flow rate. In addition, the risk of loss of consciousness due to orthostatic hypotension can be classified from the changes in earlobe blood flow rate that occur during standing. In the future, the laser blood flowmeter is expected to increase as a continuous monitoring system replacing intermittent blood pressure measurements using a manchette. |
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