Woman and Man
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Extract
Background and study aims Cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute. It can be measured by placing a probe into the oesophagus (food pipe) via the mouth or nose, a procedure called oesophageal Doppler monitoring. Guiding treatment with cardiac output monitoring has been shown to benefit patients undergoing major colorectal surgery, improving outcomes and reducing the length of hospital stay. Traditionally this monitoring has only been used during surgery. With the introduction of flexible probes, this monitoring can now be used in awake patients after surgery. The group most likely to benefit are high-risk patients. We aim to find out about the effect of continuing the use of this monitoring to guide treatment after surgery in high-risk colorectal surgery patients. Who can participate? High-risk patients aged 18 and over undergoing colorectal surgery. What does the study involve? Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in one group undergo oesophageal Doppler cardiac output monitoring for 16 hours (overnight) after their operation. Participants in the other group receive standard care with the probe in place but not used for monitoring. We then compare the outcomes of the two groups during their hospital stay and at follow-up. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Oesophageal Doppler monitoring has already been tested in cardiac and trauma patients. Patients can request early removal of the probe before the end of the 16-hour monitoring period if they wish. Patients who may be at risk of nasal or oesophageal injury from the probe are excluded from the study. Where is the study run from? St Thomas' Hospital (UK). When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? May 2011 to October 2012 Who is funding the study? Guy's and St. Thomas' Charity (UK). Who is the main contact? Mr Jonathan van Dellen [email protected]
Inclusion criteria
- Improving perioperative care for elective colorectal surgery within an Enhanced Recovery Programme