Sixty-seven RCTs were included (n=39,870 participants).The number and sample sizes of RCTs evaluating the included monitoring systems were varied: haemodynamic and perfusion monitoring (40 RCTs, n=9,779 participants, range 33 to 1,994), respiratory monitoring (17 RCTs, n=24,609 participants, range 24 to 20,802), and neurological monitoring (10 RCTs, n=5,482 participants, range 30 to 2,463).
Haemodynamic and perfusion monitoring: Positive mortality outcomes were observed in 10 of the 31 trials that evaluated mortality. Positive non-mortality outcomes were observed in 17 of the 40 trials.
Respiratory monitoring: Positive mortality outcomes were observed in three of the 7 trials that evaluated mortality. Positive non-mortality outcomes were observed in 11 of the 17 trials.
Neurological monitoring: Positive non-mortality outcomes were observed in all the studies. None of the trials evaluated mortality.
Metabolic monitoring: No trials assessing the impact of metabolic monitoring were identified.