NCT05196646

Detection of CardioRespiratory Events Using Acoustic Monitoring in Preterm Infants on CPAP

Detection of CardioRespiratory Events Using Acoustic Monitoring in Preterm Infants on Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: the DREAM Pilot Project

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 72 Hours
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This is an observational, proof-of-concept, feasibility study where 50 preterm infants with gestational age \< 32+0 weeks will be recruited from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Montreal Children's Hospital. The study's primary objective is to describe the relationship between respiratory acoustics and airflow and determine the reliability of a novel respiratory acoustic sensor at detecting breathing sounds in preterm infants. The study's secondary objectives are: 1. To compare transthoracic impedance, respiratory inductive plethysmography and an inertial measurement unit for the detection of respiratory efforts in preterm infants. 2. To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of a novel, non-invasive method for continuously detecting and differentiating cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants on CPAP by integrating measurements of respiratory effort with respiratory acoustic monitoring.

Detailed description

Cardiorespiratory events, defined by the occurrence of apneas, bradycardias, and desaturations, are almost ubiquitous in very preterm infants and are associated with numerous complications. Unfortunately, the current standard for monitoring cardiorespiratory events in the NICU, transthoracic impedance (TTI), does not permit for accurate differentiation of the different types of cardiorespiratory events; TTI cannot detect airflow and has low accuracy for detecting respiratory efforts. As a result, TTI does not detect obstructive apneas and may not reliably capture all central apneas. Respiratory sounds are an attractive surrogate measure of airflow, and can be captured using respiratory acoustic technology (akin to a miniaturized electronic stethoscope). We hypothesize that respiratory acoustic monitoring can provide a continuous, non-invasive, and accurate representation of airflow and breathing sounds in preterm infants. Altogether, we conjecture that the combination of respiratory acoustic monitoring with measurements of respiratory effort will improve the ability to differentiate and describe the nature of cardiorespiratory events in preterm infants.

Conditions

• Apnea of Prematurity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Respiratory Acoustic Sensors	Wireless sensor that contains a dual microphone and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) will capture the breathing sound and respiratory effect. Two wireless sensors will be used, with one placed on the suprasternal notch and the other placed on the right upper chest of the infant, in order to determine the sensor placement yielding the best respiratory signal. Data will be transmitted in real-time to a research-dedicated tablet using the Bluetooth Communication Controller (ISP1807, Insight SIP) and stored on the same device for future analysis.
DEVICE	Nasal thermistor	The nasal temperature probe that detects changes in temperature between inhaled and exhaled gases allows for the surrogate measure of airflow. It will be placed in one naris and secured with tape at the upper lip or cheek. The nasal temperature signal will be acquired using the Power Lab analog-digital acquisition system and stored for later analysis.
DEVICE	Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography	Two respiratory bands will be placed circumferentially around the infant's chest (at the level of nipple line) and around the abdomen (just above the level of the umbilicus) in order to measure chest and abdominal wall movements, respectively. These movements will be recorded using Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (Respitrace QDC®, Viasys® Healthcare, USA). The Respitrace® signals will be acquired using the Power Lab data acquisition system and stored for later analysis.
DEVICE	Pneumotachometer	The pneumotachometer is a pressure-differential based flow sensor that is used to measure respiratory flow. It will be connected to a standard face mask that is gently applied to cover the infant's mouth and nose. The face mask will be similar to the masks used as part of standard of care in the NICU for infants who require continuous positive pressure, with or without ventilation. The flow measurements will be recorded using the Power Lab data acquisition system and stored for later analysis.

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-12-05
• Primary completion: 2026-08-28
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2022-01-19
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada