SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Review of Labored-Breathing Measurement: 50 Years Without Translational Advancement

Pdf Summary

This review argues that despite decades of awareness, there has been little translational progress in measuring labored breathing. Respiratory failure is a leading cause of organ failure in U.S. hospitals, yet common vital signs such as respiratory rate and pulse oximetry are not enough to reliably identify patients at risk for deterioration.<br /><br />The authors highlight several bedside signs of high-risk labored breathing that are clinically useful but difficult to quantify objectively, including respiratory rate variability, use of accessory muscles, abdominal paradox, and respiratory alternans. They conclude that research on technologies to measure these signs and evaluate whether they are ready for clinical use has remained limited and largely stagnant.<br /><br />A key finding is that the current technology readiness level for clinical adoption is still low. The review identifies a major bottleneck in translating bedside respiratory distress signs into measurable physiomarkers of respiratory instability. The authors suggest that hospitalists are important stakeholders in addressing this gap because they are often responsible for recognizing early respiratory decline on inpatient wards.<br /><br />Overall, the paper calls for development of respiratory monitoring devices designed for integration into routine inpatient care. Such tools would allow better assessment of predictive validity and could improve early detection of respiratory decompensation.

Asset Subtitle

Valerie E. Cyphers

Meta Tag

Author List Brendan McNamara, Jessica Keim-Malpass, Sarah J. Ratcliffe, Sherry Kausch, Shrirang Gadrey, Swet M. Patel, Valerie E. Cyphers, William Ashe

Category Research

Concept Respiratory Rate

Concept Respiratory Decompensation

Concept Labored Breathing

Concept Oximetry

Concept Risk Stratification

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Virginia

Presenting Author Valerie E. Cyphers

Track Technology in Hospital Medicine

Keywords

labored breathing

respiratory failure

vital signs

respiratory rate

pulse oximetry

accessory muscles

abdominal paradox

respiratory alternans

physiomarkers

respiratory monitoring devices

Respiratory Rate

Respiratory Decompensation

Labored Breathing

Oximetry

Risk Stratification