The Feasibility of a Novel Index From a Wireless Doppler Ultrasound Patch to Detect Decreasing Cardiac Output in Healthy Volunteers

ABSTRACT Introduction Early hemorrhage is often missed by traditional vital signs because of physiological reserve, especially in the young and healthy. We have developed a novel, wearable, wireless Doppler ultrasound patch that tracks real-time blood velocity in the common carotid artery. Materials and Methods We studied eight healthy volunteers who decreased their cardiac output using a standardized Valsalva maneuver. In all eight, we simultaneously monitored the velocity time integral (VTI) of the common carotid artery (using the ultrasound patch) as well as the descending aorta (using a traditional pulsed wave duplex imaging system); the descending aortic VTI was used as a surrogate for left ventricular stroke volume (SV). Additionally, in a subset of four, we simultaneously measured SV using a noninvasive pulse contour analysis device. Results From baseline to peak effect of Valsalva, there was a statistically significant fall in descending aortic and common carotid VTI of 37% (P = 0.0005) and 23% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Both values returned to baseline on recovery. Additionally, a novel index from the carotid ultrasound patch (i.e., the heart rate divided by the carotid artery VTI) detected a 10% fall in aortic VTI with high sensitivity and specificity (100% and 100%, respectively); this novel index also accurately detected a 10% decrease in SV as measured by the noninvasive SV monitor. The mean arterial pressure, measured by the noninvasive pulse contour device, did not correctly detect the fall in SV. Conclusion In summary, a novel index from a wireless Doppler ultrasound patch may be more sensitive and specific for detecting decreased cardiac output than standard vital signs in healthy volunteers.