Tailored Holder for Continuous Echocardiographic Monitoring

Hemodynamic monitoring is essential for prompt and effective interventions in intensive care unit patients. We developed a custom-made transthoracic echocardiography transducer holder consisting of transducer holder and skin patch attachment. This holder allowed continuous transthoracic echocardiography monitoring in 5 adult patients with circulatory failure due to shock, and 6 pediatric patients after successful percutaneous closure of a ventricular septal defect. One case of an unexpected hemopericardium was promptly diagnosed and pericardiocentesis was performed, and 1 patient required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Accepted for publication October 16, 2017. Funding: This study was supported by research grants from the 1.3.5 project for disciplines of excellence, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Zy2016101) and Taipei Cheng Hsin General Hospital (CHGH105-1). The authors declare no conflicts of interest. H. Song and S. K. Tsai contributed equally to this work. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Jin Liu, MD, PhD, Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wainan Guoxuexiang St #37, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. Address e-mail to scujinliu@foxmail.com. © 2017 International Anesthesia Research Society

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