New monitoring technology capable of providing early detection of impending circulatory shock in trauma patients has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Compensatory Reserve Index (CRI) can be used in pre-hospital and hospital settings to detect when a patient is going into hemorrhagic shock.

USAISR researchers demonstrate the functions and capabilities of the Compensatory Reserve Index. Photo by Dr. Steven Galvan, USAISR Public AffairsScientists from U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (Fort Sam Houston, TX), University of Colorado, and Flashback Technologies, Inc. (Boulder, CO), developed the device to extract information from a standard pulse oximeter placed on a patient’s finger. An algorithm gauges whether the patient requires resuscitation or immediate medical attention.

The researchers used the compensatory reserve algorithm to learn from an individual's own arterial waveform how the body is using its compensatory mechanisms for coping with blood loss. Waveforms obtained from a simple pulse oximeter carried by combat medics could be used to generate a compensatory reserve measurement device.

With analysis of each arterial waveform, the algorithm becomes more accurate in predicting the body's ability to protect itself from inadequate tissue oxygenation (shock) or begin to decompensate.

This technology can help medics who don't have much experience in the battlefield to care for those needing immediate medical attention.