Intravenous iodinated contrast medium (ICM), an important medium to enhance computer
tomography (CT) examination images, may cause palpitation, emesis, stress phenomena, and even
death to patients. The purpose of this study is to develop a real-time risk monitoring system for patients
under CT examination. Thirty eight patients were selected. The risk monitoring system was based on
the heart rate variation. To obtain the heart rate information, the pulse wave data during ICM injection
were measured and followed by using moving average filter twice and peak detection algorithms.
Patients were divided into two groups based on their discomfort index. There are statistical
differences between the two groups in heart rate derived parameters after ICM injection, especially in
the cumulated heart rate deviation (CHRD). The CHRD increases steadily after ICM injection, and
patients with higher discomfort index have higher CHRDs. CHRD is an effective parameter of an early
warning indicator within two minutes after ICM injection (p<0.003**). However, the current medical
procedure takes nearly thirty minutes to decide whether the patients are extremely uncomfortable and
need further medical treatments.
Relation:
Asian Journal of Health and Information Sciences 1(2):237-245
