Interactive Transcript
0:01
In comes the Barbeau test.
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What's the Barbeau test?
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This is very similar to the modified Allen's
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test, but the difference here is that
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we apply a pulse oximeter to the thumb.
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And so, same thing, compressive forces.
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And, you know, what we're sort of trying to look
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at is we're looking at the changes in amplitude
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of the pulse waveform and oxygen saturation.
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The degree of waveform alteration is rated A
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through D based on the degree of collateral
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flow between radial and ulnar arteries.
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Here we see sort of diminutive,
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hyperperfused region.
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And what we're looking at here is just
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realizing that this Barbeau test is actually
0:35
particularly accurate, particularly sensitive
0:37
than the Allen's test, which is why we use it.
0:41
So Barbeau types and waveforms.
0:43
So we talked about A through D.
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What we're looking at here is sort of normal.
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Start of oximetry, okay, nice, good waveform.
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After oximetry, nice, good
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waveform, excellent collaterals.
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Superficial palmar arches, exquisite.
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So B, initially blunted, okay, returns
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to normal after about two minutes, okay.
1:04
So this is something that, you know, after about
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two minutes, this is particularly good, right?
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So, a little blunted before, not
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so blunted now, good collaterals.
1:13
Not excellent, but good, because
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it was blunted initially.
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Now, if there's complete loss initially,
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with return to a dampened waveform after two
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minutes, then I would say Houston should be
1:23
told that there might be a little problem.
1:25
But, you know, not well collateralized,
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but, you know, just be mindful.
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Still a candidate, but then D is kind of
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like, you know, this is when the horse leaves
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the barn before you wake up in the morning.
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It's gone, it's gone.
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So no waveform, which persists beyond two minutes.
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So this just means that isolated
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circulation between the ulnar and
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the radial arteries, and so this is a
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contraindication to radial artery access.
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