LAUSR

BACKGROUND Carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) monitoring during sleep, is crucial to identify respiratory failure in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Transcutaneous PCO2 monitoring is an available technique to measure PCO2. OBJECTIVES To assess the quality level of transcutaneous blood gas measurements via SenTec monitor. METHODS A 12-month analysis of SenTec measurements was conducted in a Belgian Centre for Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV). Over two consecutive nights; SpO2 and PCO2 measurements, the presence of PCO2 drift and drift correction with SenTec, were reviewed and scores (0, 1, 2 for poor, medium and high level) were assigned to estimate the quality of measurements. RESULTS Sixty-nine NMD patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 48/69 used HMV. PCO2 drift and drift correction were present in 15% and 68% of the 138 recordings, respectively. The quality level of measurements throughout night 1, scored 1.55 (0-2). The relevance of our clinical findings from SenTec scoring 1.94 (1-2); was considered highly satisfactory. HMV was ineffective in 24/48 patients. Among 12 patients with hypercapnia, 8 patients improved PCO2 between night 1 and 2. Among 12 patients with hypocapnia, PCO2 improved in 4/12 patients, who reached the range of normal PCO2 (35-47 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS The quality of SenTec measurements was acceptable in the majority of recordings and clinical findings were deemed satisfactory in all cases. A single SenTec measurement was sufficient to determine the need for NIV. However, two SenTec registrations were insufficient to both improve NIV effectiveness in 50% of cases, and, to ensure follow-up of our interventions.