5.2.8 - Cardiac Output Measurement and Interpreting the Derived Data

Summary

Key Learning Points

1. 1. Cardiac output (CO) quantification is used clinically as a surrogate for tissue oxygenation in peri-operative and critical care patient management, and may be used to avoid injudicious fluid administration.

2. 2. Devices estimate and monitor CO using the Fick principle, Doppler frequency shift and pulse pressure analysis.

3. 3. Devices differ by invasiveness, provision of other indices and clinical information, required expertise and limitations and potential complications. Pulmonary artery catheters still remain the gold standard, but evidence supports the accuracy of other less invasive devices.

4. 4. Selection of device is determined by the clinical setting, patient factors and clinician expertise.

5. 5. Because CO is estimated, rather than measured directly, trends and response to interventions are more clinically meaningful than absolute values.