BMJ  2004;329 (31 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7460.0-d

Nurses using oesophageal Doppler improve outcome after heart surgery

Optimising cardiac output immediately after heart surgery may shorten hospital stay. In a randomised study involving 174 patients carried out by McKendry et al (p 258), nurses used oesophageal Doppler flowmetry and a standardised protocol to monitor and guide stroke volume and compared this with standard postoperative care (which may include monitoring cardiac output). Patients in the intervention group were given more colloids, but had fewer complications and a shorter hospital stay.

Credit: ANTONIA REEVE/SPL

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Relevant Article

Randomised controlled trial assessing the impact of a nurse delivered, flow monitored protocol for optimisation of circulatory status after cardiac surgery

Moira McKendry, Helen McGloin, Debbie Saberi, Libby Caudwell, Anthony R Brady, and Mervyn Singer
BMJ 2004 329: 258. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]