Arterial Pulse Waveform Contour Analysis for Intraoperative Goal Directed Therapy in Major Abdominal Surgery

Evaluation of the Use of Arterial Pulse Waveform Contour Analysis for Early Goal Directed Therapy in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery

This study evaluates whether using information from a special arterial blood pressure monitor to guide how much fluid is given during surgery changes how long a patient stays in the hospital after the surgery. There is scientific evidence from using similar information from different devices that this technique might allow us to do a better job giving fluids during surgery and that this may be associated with shorter hospital stay after surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All patients requiring elective or semi-elective major abdominal surgery will be assessed for eligibility.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age under 18 years old,
• Coagulopathy,
• Significant renal/hepatic dysfunction (creatine >50% or liver enzymes > 50% of normal values),
• Congestive heart failure,
• Cardiac arrhythmias producing irregular rhythms, and
• Patient choice.