Numbers of dental outpatients presenting with systemic disease have recently been increasing, elevating the potential for unexpected events during dental treatment.
However, accidental symptoms can rarely be predicted during actual dental procedures. As slight changes in vital signs can easily be missed, the incidence of unexpected symptoms may not be as uncommon as initially thought. Determination of vital signs may identify fluctuations in parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate preceding actual symptomatic manifestation. However, the incidence of unexpected symptoms cannot be accurately assessed using standard monitoring techniques, even if changes in vital signs are detected and alarms utilized, and ascertainment can be made that convulsions have occurred.
The present research investigated the development of a dental monitor for predicting incidence of accidental symptoms. Improvements to software and hardware were donated by Life Scope L (NIHON KOHDEN Co.).
Clinical examination was performed in a randomized trial using this system on a total of 89 patients (age range, 8-80years) undergoing outpatient dental procedures with local anesthesia.
As a result, this system was found to be capable of monitoring the autonomic nervous system in real time, and fluctuations in vital signs were able to be detected.
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