Use of fiber-optic pressure transducer for XXXX measurements: a preliminary report.

@entity1 @entity1781 @entity428
Invasive monitoring of @entity428 ( @entity428 ) is becoming the standard of care for management of acute neurologic and neurosurgical @entity1 . As a result of improved fiber-optic technology, a new disposable 4 French @entity1781 ( @entity1781 ) has been introduced for facilitating measurement of @entity428 . Placement of the @entity1781 can be intraventricular, subarachnoid, subdural, or intraparenchymal. Sensitivity and linearity of each catheter are manufacturer calibrated and not adjustable. Zero or atmospheric balance is done only once before insertion. Because the transducer is the catheter tip, no leveling to an anatomic point is necessary. The system appears to eliminate some of the difficulties inherent in fluid-filled catheter monitoring. In clinical trials, the comparison of @entity1781 with subdural and ventriculostomy waveforms and pressures showed essentially no difference. Pressure recordings tracked well except during transient periods of @entity428 , when @entity1781 showed higher peak pressures. Use of the @entity1781 requires education regarding placement and maintenance techniques. Although staff experience with the catheter can practically eliminate the problem, the @entity1781 catheters need special handling because of potential for fiber breakage.
