Heart Biomarker Evaluation in Apnea Treatment

3.3.5 Procedures During Testing.

1. Switch on the Hokanson blood pressure machines
2. Set inflation level to 250 mmg Hg

3. Press OK on the laptop to record participant information

   

4. Deflate probes by pressing the deflation button on the top left hand corner of the screen.

5. Place the Endo-PAT probe.

   • Insert the Endo-PAT probe into the groove on the arm support.
   • Ask the participant to gently place the index fingers (or other selected fingers) into the deflated probes.
     • Do not use injured fingers.
     • Any finger can be used except the thumb.
     • If the index finger is very large, may use the little finger.
     • Use parallel fingers. Care should be taken that the top of the finger is aligned with the top of the probe and connector.
     • The finger tip must reach all the way to the end of the probe.
       

6. Inflate the probes.

   • Inflate probes by pressing the black arrow on laptop at top of screen on left hand side.
   • Go into “standby mode” by pressing the yellow button that will light up to the right of the black arrow soon after the probes have been inflated.
   • After inflation is completed the finger with the probe attached to it can be removed from the groove.
   • Ask the patient if he feels the tip of the probe.

7. Apply the blue anchors.

   • Place the foam anchors on the fingers next to the probes, making a kink free loop that is not too tight and not too slack.
     • The tubes should lead distally away from the hand.
   • Push the foam anchor to the root of the finger.
     • Ascertain that the tube-connector on top of the probe is aligned with the top of the finger.
   • Tape the free end of the tube very gently to the tip of the finger making S shape to maintain the anchor perpendicular to the finger axis.
     • If participant has short fingers and the anchor is resting on the probe, replace the anchor with one that has been previously trimmed.
     • Alternatively, the anchor can be placed on an alternate finger and the finger next to the probe can be separated using a small piece of gauze or other soft padding.

8. Remove fingers from rests and place forearm on arm rests with palms flat and the fingers suspended over the edge, ensuring that they do not touch the probes.

   • Fingers should be relaxed and nothing should be touching the fingers or the probes.