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Case studies show how a compact, modular gas analysis system deployed early in critical illness can help predict patient outcomes¹

BACKGROUND

Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination by the body reflect the metabolic rate of tissues and the magnitude of aerobic metabolism. The clinical literature has found with relative consistency that oxygen consumption early in critical illness predicts outcome: Patients with high oxygen consumption are more likely to survive.

However, accurately measurement of this important physiological variable has been difficult.

The gold standard for metabolic measurement is gas analysis. Until recently, this was only possible with bulky non-integrated systems.

Now GE Healthcare offers the COVX technology, a system that is compact, modular, and fully integrated with other ICU monitoring modalities. It measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide elimination on a breath-by-breath basis and enables clinicians to routinely follow metabolic rate in mechanically ventilated patients.

This paper presents three brief case studies that describe the potential of COVX metabolic monitoring early in critical illness. The cases illustrate how non-invasive metabolic monitoring provides useful information that relates directly to the response to therapy and the patient’s chances of recovery.

¹ Case studies from Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on an unrestricted research grant; Dr. Timothy S. Walsh, Consultant in Intensive Care and Anesthesia.

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