A Device for the Quantification of Oxygen Consumption and Caloric Expenditure in the Neonatal Range

BACKGROUND: The accurate measurement of oxygen consumption (VO2) and energy expenditure (EE) may be helpful to optimize the treatment of critically ill patients. However, current techniques are limited in their ability to accurately quantify these end points in infants due to a low VO2, low tidal volume, and rapid respiratory rate. This study describes and validates a new device intended to perform in this size range. METHODS: We created a customized device that quantifies inspiratory volume using a pneumotachometer and concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas in the inspiratory and expiratory limbs. We created a customized algorithm to achieve precise time alignment of these measures, incorporating bias flow and compliance factors. The device was validated in 3 ways. First, we infused a certified gas mixture (50% oxygen/50% carbon dioxide) into an artificial lung circuit, comparing measured with simulated VO2 and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) within a matrix of varying tidal volume (4–20 mL), respiratory rate (20–80 bpm), and fraction of inspired oxygen (0.21–0.8). Second, VO2, VCO2, and EE were measured in Sprague Dawley rats under mechanical ventilation and were compared to simultaneous Douglas bag collections. Third, the device was studied on n = 14 intubated, spontaneously breathing neonates and infants, comparing measured values to Douglas measurements. In all cases, we assessed for difference between the device and reference standard by linear regression and Bland–Altman analysis. RESULTS: In vitro, the mean ± standard deviation difference between the measured and reference standard VO2 was +0.04 ± 1.10 (95% limits of agreement, −2.11 to +2.20) mL/min and VCO2 was +0.26 ± 0.31 (−0.36 to +0.89) mL/min; differences were similar at each respiratory rate and tidal volume measured, but higher at fraction of inspired oxygen of 0.8 than at 0.7 or lower. In rodents, the mean difference was −0.20 ± 0.55 (−1.28 to +0.89) mL/min for VO2, +0.16 ± 0.25 (−0.32 to +0.65) mL/min for VCO2, and −0.84 ± 3.29 (−7.30 to +5.61) kcal/d for EE. In infants, the mean VO2 was 9.0 ± 2.5 mL/kg/min by Douglas method and was accurately measured by the device (bias, +0.22 ± 0.87 [−1.49 to +1.93] mL/kg/min). The average VCO2 was 8.1 ± 2.3 mL/kg/min, and the device exhibited a bias of +0.33 ± 0.82 (−1.27 to +1.94) mL/kg/min. Mean bias was +2.56% ± 11.60% of the reading for VO2 and +4.25% ± 11.20% of the reading for VCO2; among 56 replicates, 6 measurements fell outside of the 20% error range, and no patient had >1 of 4 replicates with a >20% error in either VO2 or VCO2. CONCLUSIONS: This device can measure VO2, VCO2, and EE with sufficient accuracy for clinical decision-making within the neonatal and pediatric size range, including in the setting of tachypnea or hyperoxia. Accepted for publication January 5, 2018. Funding: This work was supported by grants from the Gerber Foundation, Hess Family Philanthropic Fund, and the Boston Children's Hospital Heart Center Strategic Investment Fund. Conflicts of Interest: See Disclosures at the end of the article. Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal's website (http://ift.tt/KegmMq). Boston Children's Hospital (B. D. Polizzotti and J. N. Kheir) and InnoCC (P. Clemensen.) are in the process of filing a patent entitled "Oxygen Consumption and Energy Expenditure Monitoring in Infants and Children" describing the methods described herein. Clinical trial registry number: NCT03154112; http://ift.tt/2FfBHI0. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to John N. Kheir, MD, Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Address e-mail to john.kheir@childrens.harvard.edu. © 2018 International Anesthesia Research Society

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