Abstract
In our questionnaire regarding the definition of respiratory depression (RD), there was little difference between the answers from anesthesiologists and nurses. When narcotic anesthetics are used for postoperative analgesia, we have to consider RD, that is, bradypnea. Previous reports suggested that the onset of bradypnea due to narcotic anesthetics might be faster than that of hypoxia. A noninvasive respiratory monitoring device using an adhesive sensor with an integrated acoustic transducer (RRa) positioned on the patient’s throat (Rad-87 Pulse CO-Oximeter, Masimo Japan Co., Tokyo, Japan) has recently become available. We studied the accuracy of acoustic monitoring during general anesthesia in adult patients (>30 kg) and pediatric patients (<30 kg) using this device. Respiration rate determined by the acoustic monitor correlated well with that determined by a capnometer during general anesthesia in both adult and pediatric patients. Our study as well as previous studies suggests that using this reliable respiration rate monitor in an in-hospital setting might be essential for security and risk management.
