# Wearable alert system for detecting postoperative hypotension

> **NIH NIH R43** · VENA VITALS, INC. · 2023 · $295,924

## Abstract

Project Summary
This project aims to develop a low-cost, comfortable, and easy-to-use wearable alert system that
tracks continuous BP non-invasively in patients to notify caregivers of hypotensive events in the
postoperative setting. Postoperative hypotension (POH), when a patient’s mean arterial pressure
(MAP) falls to unsafe levels, commonly <70 mmHg, can occur frequently in the time span between
leaving the operating room and prior to discharge from the hospital. POH is a serious and common
condition that has been shown to be independently associated with poor patient outcomes such
as acute kidney injury, stroke, hospital re-admission, myocardial injury, and death.1–9 During
surgery and recovery in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU) or the intensive care unit (ICU), a
patient’s hemodynamics are closely monitored to support timely interventions and treatment.
However, once the patient is transferred to a lower ward for recovery, patient monitoring is
dramatically reduced. The current method to monitor a patient’s BP in the general ward, which
relies on intermittent spot-checks performed manually every 4-6 hours by the nurse using an
oscillometric BP cuff, is insufficient for detecting POH events. A recent study showed that almost
50% of hypotensive events went undetected by routine vital assessments. There is an unmet
need for a technology that comfortably monitors a patient’s BP in the postoperative setting. Our
core technology is able to non-invasively measure rapid BP changes at any location with a
palpable pulse. The proposed project aims build upon the core technology to create a wearable
alert system that informs caregivers of postoperative hypotensive episodes. To do so, a machine
learning (ML) classifier for detection of hypotensive episodes will be developed through
monitoring in the ICU. This ML classifier will undergo feasibility testing in the PACU and then a
pilot study in the general ward. Successful completion of the proposed aims will result in a proof-
of-concept wearable alert system that continuously monitors BP in the postoperative environment
in a low-profile, wireless, and comfortable manner. Such a technology has huge potential to
change clinical practice through earlier detection of patient deterioration, allowing more timely
intervention and ultimately improved patient outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10760370
- **Project number:** 1R43HL170868-01
- **Recipient organization:** VENA VITALS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Joshua Kim
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $295,924
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-11 → 2026-02-10

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10760370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10760370, Wearable alert system for detecting postoperative hypotension (1R43HL170868-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10760370. Licensed CC0.

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