The role of the maximal first derivative of the radial pulse wave (Rad dP/dtmax) in monitoring cardiac function

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the clinical significance of the maximal first derivative of the radial pulse wave (Rad dP/dtmax) in monitoring cardiac function with different perioperative patients by researching the relationship between Rad dP/dtmax and cardiac output (CO). METHODS: Patients with non-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and open liver tumor resection (OLTR) were enrolled in this study (n=10). CO was measured using the thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter method and Rad dP/dtmax was acquired by the analysis of patients’ left radial artery pressure waveform through the PowerLab data acquisition device. CO, Rad dP/dtmax, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAW), and body surface area was recorded. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model of time-dependent covariates to duplicate the data. RESULTS: The bivariate correlation coefficients of Rad dP/dtmax and CO were 0.526 and 0.413. The result of the multivariate mixed linear model analysis showed that compared with other indicators, Rad dP/dtmax had the greatest standardized coefficient with CO in CABG patients. While in OLTR patients, HR, SBP, PAW, and DBP had larger standardized coefficients. CONCLUSIONS: Rad dP/dtmax could be a useful indicator to reflect and predict the acute changes in cardiac function in perioperative patients, especially for patients with cardiac dysfunction or contractility abnormality.