Intra-operative temperature monitoring with two non-invasive devices (3M Spoton® and Dräger Tcore®) in comparison with the Swan-Ganz catheter

Abstract

BackgroundThe measurement of core body temperature in the pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz catheter) is regarded as the reference standard. Nowadays, new non-invasive methods of measuring core temperature have emerged, such as the 3M SpotOn® and the Dräger Tcore® sensor. MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on patients undergoing scheduled cardiac surgery. Both devices, and the Swan-Ganz catheter, were simultaneously evaluated. The correlation of temperature values was measured using the intra-class correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank or Pearson correlation analysis. The repeated-measurements version of the Bland and Altman test were used to determine the level of agreement. ResultsA total of 289 measurements were made. Analysis of Spearman rank correlation between the Swan-Ganz catheter and 3M SpotOn® pair yielded a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.82 [95% confidence interval (95% CI); 0.77–0.85, p<0.001], and the result of ICC was 0.88 (95% CI; 0.85–0.90). Bland–Altman analysis showed a bias (SD) of 0.21°C (0.34) [−2.27 to 2.71]. The Swan-Ganz catheter and Dräger Tcore® pair showed r-values of 0.78 (95% CI; 0.73–0.82 and p<0.001), and ICC of 0.78 (95% CI; 0.74–0.82). This pair showed a bias of 0.48°C (0.42) [−2.02–2.98]. ConclusionsBoth the 3M SpotOn® and the Dräger Tcore® provided a high degree of accuracy and precision in measuring the core temperature, and could be used for the control of normothermia in the patient undergoing cardiac surgery.