Microcirculation in Dehydrated Older Patients

The Analysis of the Sublingual Microvascular Terminal Circuit Improves the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Algorithms in Dehydrated Older Patients- a Prospective Observational Study

This proof-of-concept study examines whether 1) sublingual measurement in dehydrated old patients is feasible, 2) frailty and incompliance in old, awake patients affects video-quality, 3) dehydration impacts microcirculation This prospective observational study includes clinically dehydrated patients aged ≥ 65 years, who have spontaneous circulation and access to the sublingual mucosa, immediately after admission. Dehydration will be assessed clinically. A sidestream dark field camera (SDF) will be used for measurement. Video-quality will be evaluated with MIQS (microcirculation image quality score). Both AVA 4.3C- and AVA POEM-software analyzed the videos. Seventeen patients ≥ 65 years not showing dehydration served as control.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65 years old or older
• diagnosed with dehydration according to the clinical impression of the treating physician
• informed consent
• the sublingual mucosa had to be accessible.

Exclusion Criteria:

• <65 years
• Lacking informed consent
• time-critical disease
• previous resuscitation
• inaccessibility of sublingual area