Q: First, what is Accuro, exactly?
A: Accuro® is an easy-to-learn, AI-enabled epidural guidance device such that anesthesia providers with—even minimal ultrasound experience—can take advantage of its powerful image recognition technology. Accuro significantly enhances bone-to-tissue contrast and provides automated, real-time image guidance to help you increase first-insertion success rates during spinal needle guidance procedures, especially with challenging patient anatomy.
Q: Are there statistically significant benefits from using Accuro?
A: Yes, a new RCT published in the Journal of Anesthesiology demonstrates that Accuro significantly enhances the efficacy and safety of CSEA placement compared to traditional palpation in obese patients undergoing cesarean delivery. Specifically, Accuro provides significant first-insertion success rates: 72.5 percent vs. 40.0 percent and reductions in paresthesia: 7.5 percent vs. 45 percent [1]. Additionally, a study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine reports that the number of redirections is almost halved (48 percent) using Accuro compared to traditional palpation for spinal anesthesia in obese patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery [2].
Q: Who can benefit from using Accuro?
A: Consider the RCT published in the Journal of Anesthesiology; the data shows Accuro helps provide higher first-insertion success rates and reduces incidences of paresthesia—even for experienced anesthesia providers [1]. Additionally, the study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine shows a 48-percent reduction in needle redirections—also for experienced anesthesia providers [2]. These results demonstrate that neuraxial image guidance is not just a tool to help inexperienced trainees: Anesthesia providers participating in both trials are highly skilled at performing these procedures conventionally. Yet, in these patient populations, providers still benefit statistically and clinically from Accuro’s automated image guidance technology.
Q: Is the training minimal?
A: Yes, a study published in the Journal of Anesthesia & Clinical Research evaluating the efficacy of spinal anesthesia administration by resident physicians using Accuro shows that the residents competently utilize Accuro after receiving minimal training with the device and demonstrate a 57-percent reduction in needle insertion time [3]. Quoted from the study, “…this study suggests that resident trainees can implement neuraxial ultrasonography using Accuro without the need for didactic teaching or direct expert supervision.”
Q: How does Accuro compare with standard ultrasound?
A: A recent study published in the Open Journal of Anesthesiology reports that Accuro with AI-Enabled SpineNav3DTM Image Recognition technology automatically identifies and measures epidural space depth with the same accuracy as standard ultrasound in obese pregnant women [4]. Quoted from the study, “[Accuro] requires less operator interpretation of ultrasound images, while offering automated real-time identification of interspaces and epidural depth and this feature may be useful in many clinical settings where there is a lack of equipment, or of a physician’s adequate training, or the need for rapid bedside use.”
Q: Interested in learning more?
A: Visit us at rivannamedical.com/clinical-value/
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