ClearSight Validation in Pediatrics

Specific aim number one: To compare cardiac output measurements obtained from the Clear Sight cardiac output monitor with measurements obtained with thermodilution in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Significance: Currently, based on the Surviving Sepsis guidelines, fluid administration is supposed to be guided by measurements of fluid responsiveness. Currently, there are very few ways to obtain measurements of fluid responsiveness, such as cardiac output, stroke volume, and systemic vascular resistance non-invasively. The invasive methods are no longer used in pediatrics, as the risk of placing these invasive catheters is felt to outweigh the benefit of using the data provided by the invasive cardiac output monitoring systems. Although the Clear Sight cardiac output monitoring system has been validated in adults to measure cardiac output non-invasively, this technology has not been evaluated in pediatrics. If the Clear Sight monitoring system is shown to be accurate in pediatrics, it would safely provide data that could be lifesaving to a pediatric patient in shock. Specific aim number two: To compare the accuracy of the Clear Sight cardiac output monitor in obtaining continuous blood pressure measurements non-invasively. Significance: Currently, the only reliable method to continuously monitor blood pressure in critically ill patients is with an invasive intra-arterial catheter. Placing this catheter carries risks with it, including risk of infection as well as risk of intra-arterial thrombus which can lead to limb ischemia. The Clear Sight cardiac output monitor has the technology to obtain continuous blood pressure measurements non-invasively, although this technology has never been validated in pediatric patients. Therefore, specific aim 1 is to determine if this technology can reliably be used in pediatric patients. If it can, this would provide a method to obtain continuous blood pressure measurements without the risk of an invasive catheter. Hypothesis: Cardiac output and arterial blood pressure measurements taken non-invasively with the ClearSight system in will correlate with cardiac output measurements taken by pulmonary artery catheter thermodilution and arterial blood pressure measurements taken by arterial line. This hypothesis is based on personal communications with the developers of this device.