Physiologic Waveform Analysis for Early Detection of Hemorrhage during Transport and Higher Echelon Medical Care of Combat Casualties

Abstract

Early detection of hemorrhage is crucial for managing combat casualties. However, mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) and other vital signs are late indicators of a bleed. By contrast, cardiac stroke volume (SV), cardiac end-diastolic volume (EDV), and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity can provide timely warning of blood volume loss. However, existing methods for their measurement are invasive and/or require a point-of-care operator. On the other hand, a peripheral ABP waveform can be measured non-invasively and automatically with commercial devices that are amenable to most combat casualties during evacuation and medical care thereafter. We have conceived techniques to track SV, EDV, and ANS activity by mathematical analysis of a peripheral ABP waveform and simpler non-invasive waveforms. Our objective is to prove the efficacy of these techniques in the context of early hypovolemia detection. We are investigating the techniques based on existing data from healthy humans exposed to lower body negative pressure (LBNP) ? a model of early bleeding in conscious subjects. Our most significant results to date are that the techniques can accurately estimate relative changes in cardiac volumes during progressive LBNP and recovery and that these estimates can provide a sensitive marker of the degree of LBNP. With further research, the techniques may potentially be used to help manage combat casualties during transport and higher echelon care.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA555903

Entities

People

  • Ramakrishna Mukkamala

Organizations

  • Michigan State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arteries
  • Blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Catheterization
  • Health Services
  • Myocardial Ischemia
  • Physiological Monitoring
  • Veins
  • Vital Signs
  • Waveforms

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design