Centese has announced the publication of the first peer-reviewed clinical study of its Thoraguard digital drainage system for cardiac surgery in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Open.
Thoraguard is a digital chest tube management system that provides automated clog clearance without human intervention while continuously and precisely monitoring critical physiological parameters to inform clinical decision-making and optimise outcomes.
The study found that Thoraguard is safe and effective compared to conventional analogue chest tubes when used following cardiac surgery (the study’s primary endpoints). The authors noted that the Thoraguard occlusion (clog) rate (2%) and reintervention rate were exceptionally low. In addition, the automated clog clearance function enabled cardiac surgeons to use smaller chest tubes than conventional tubes for enhanced patient comfort.
“This study shows that the future of cardiac surgery and chest drainage is upon us. Our surgical tools must be digitally enabled to keep pace with technological advances in the field,” commented Jack Boyd (Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, USA), the principal investigator of the study.
Effective postoperative chest drainage is critical following cardiac and thoracic surgery. Yet, there have been few technological advancements in decades. Conventional analogue chest drainage systems rely heavily on frequent manual monitoring and intervention. These systems are also prone to errors, which can result in serious complications and significant expense.
Designed to overcome the limitations of conventional analogue chest tube devices, the Thoraguard Intelligent Chest Tube Management system is the first and only system equipped with automatic chest tube clearing and continuous, precision digital monitoring, Centese said in a press release.
“The technological shortcomings of conventional analogue chest drainage systems are well recognised. This study validates the potential for Thoraguard to transform post-op recovery in cardiac and thoracic surgery, leading to better results for patients, providers, and hospitals,” commented Centese co-founder and CEO Evan Luxon.
