The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the new CompuFlo instrument which allows pulsatile waveform recordings.
30 epidural catheters previously successfully used for obstetric anesthesia or analgesia and about to be removed were tested. All patients were given 5 mL 2% lidocaine to test the catheter before its removal. After priming with 5 mL saline, the catheter was connected to CompuFlo to record the occurrence of pulsatile waveforms and/or their disappearance during its removal. The epidural catheter was marked at the skin level to record the distance between the skin at the time of measurements. The power analysis required a sample of 30 observations to set 80% test power and 95% significance level.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
30
After priming with 5 mL saline, the catheter was connected to CompuFlo to record the occurrence of pulsatile waveforms and/or their disappearance during its removal
EESOA Maternal Neonatal Simulation Centre
Roma, Italy
Città di Roma Hospital
Rome, Italy
pulsatile waveforms observation (presence or absence)
The epidural catheter was considered to be in the epidural space if the appearance of pulsatile waveforms were observed, and confirmed by the occurrence of L2-3 sensory block after the test dose. The disappearance of the pulsatile waveforms when the catheter was extracted from the epidural space was also noted.
Time frame: 30 minutes
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