BACKGROUND: Train-of-four twitch monitoring can be performed using palpation of thumb movement, or by the use of a more objective quantitative monitor, such as mechanomyography, acceleromyography, or electromyography. The relative performance of palpation and quantitative monitoring for determination of the train-of-four ratio has been studied extensively, but the relative performance of palpation and quantitative monitors for counting train-of-four twitch responses has not been completely described. METHODS: We compared train-of-four counts by palpation to mechanomyography, acceleromyography (Stimpod™), and electromyography (TwitchView Monitor™) in anaesthetised patients using 1691 pairs of measurements obtained from 46 subjects. RESULTS: There was substantial agreement between palpation and electromyography (kappa = 0.80), mechanomyography (kappa = 0.67), or acceleromyography (kappa = 0.63). Electromyography with TwitchView and mechanomyography most closely resembled palpation, whereas acceleromyography with StimPod often underestimated train-of-four count. With palpation as the comparator, acceleromyography was more likely to measure a lower train-of-four count, with 36% of counts less than palpation, and 3% more than palpation. For mechanomyography, 31% of train-of-four counts were greater than palpation, and 9% were less. For electromyography, 15% of train-of-four counts were greater than palpation, and 12% were less. The agreement between acceleromyography and electromyography was fair (kappa = 0.38). For acceleromyography, 39% of train-of-four counts were less than electromyography, and 5% were more. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleromyography with the StimPod frequently underestimated train-of-four count in comparison with electromyography with TwitchView.
BACKGROUND: Train-of-four twitch monitoring can be performed using palpation of thumb movement, or by the use of a more objective quantitative monitor, such as mechanomyography, acceleromyography, or electromyography. The relative performance of palpation and quantitative monitoring for determination of the train-of-four ratio has been studied extensively, but the relative performance of palpation and quantitative monitors for counting train-of-four twitch responses has not been completely described. METHODS: We compared train-of-four counts by palpation to mechanomyography, acceleromyography (Stimpod™), and electromyography (TwitchView Monitor™) in anaesthetised patients using 1691 pairs of measurements obtained from 46 subjects. RESULTS: There was substantial agreement between palpation and electromyography (kappa = 0.80), mechanomyography (kappa = 0.67), or acceleromyography (kappa = 0.63). Electromyography with TwitchView and mechanomyography most closely resembled palpation, whereas acceleromyography with StimPod often underestimated train-of-four count. With palpation as the comparator, acceleromyography was more likely to measure a lower train-of-four count, with 36% of counts less than palpation, and 3% more than palpation. For mechanomyography, 31% of train-of-four counts were greater than palpation, and 9% were less. For electromyography, 15% of train-of-four counts were greater than palpation, and 12% were less. The agreement between acceleromyography and electromyography was fair (kappa = 0.38). For acceleromyography, 39% of train-of-four counts were less than electromyography, and 5% were more. CONCLUSIONS: Acceleromyography with the StimPod frequently underestimated train-of-four count in comparison with electromyography with TwitchView.
Authors: Francesca Rubulotta; Hatem Soliman-Aboumarie; Kevin Filbey; Goetz Geldner; Kai Kuck; Mario Ganau; Thomas M Hemmerling Journal: Anesth Analg Date: 2020-08 Impact factor: 6.627