Masimo's PVI measurement:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Masimo's PVI (Pleth variability index) measurement has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for use in determining patients' fluid levels. The measurement is taken using Masimo's noninvasive Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximeters - the Rad-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter was approved in Japan in November (Clinica No 1284, p 22) and in the US in April 2006. PVI, which is calculated using changes in the perfusion index (PI), is used to measure fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients. It can enable more accurate fluid administrations and help clinicians to assess whether a patient's cardiac function is compromised, Masimo said. A rising PVI can indicate hypervolaemia (fluid overload). Irvine, California-based Masimo's Rainbow SET oximeters can also measure total haemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, methaemoglobin and PI with a finger sensor - these previously required invasive blood tests.