Cardiac output monitoring

modalities

oesophageal doppler

measures flow time for a red cell across a pre-determined distance

LiDCO, etc.

pulse contour analysis - calculates area under the curve then uses it to predict CO (?)
so naturally anything that changes the shape of the arterial waveform will make it less accurate: AF, damped line, swing in arterial line

normal parameters

  • Stroke volume = 60-100ml/beat
  • Cardiac index = CO/BSA (body surface area) = 2.5 - 4
  • Stroke volume variation = quantifying the 'swing'
  • Flow time, or FTc (corrected for HR) - 300

source: Sachin?!