Pain evaluation using analgesia nociception index during surgical operation

Abstract

The international association for the study of pain (IASP), describes pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain is a system of defense mechanism that prompts the body to avoid the source of noxious stimulation and a potential area of tissue damage. Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the electrical activity of the heart. ECG gives transthoracic interpretation of the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. Detailed examination of ECG signals give information concerning the condition of the heart at a given moment. The analgesia nociception index (ANI) is an index that is associated with the autonomic nervous system. It is employed to find pain levels, heart rate variability, and sympathetic system activity during general anesthesia. In this paper we aimed to test the potential of ANI to notice painful situations during surgical operation. To test this ability, we examined ANI’s response during surgical operations. The analysis reveals that the index decreases during events where more pain is induced.