Cardiac Output Assessed by Invasive and Minimally Invasive Techniques
2011

Cardiac Output Measurement Techniques

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lee Allison J., Cohn Jennifer Hochman, Ranasinghe J. Sudharma

Primary Institution: Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami

Hypothesis

Minimally invasive techniques for measuring cardiac output can provide reliable alternatives to traditional methods.

Conclusion

Despite the development of newer techniques, the pulmonary artery catheter remains the gold standard for measuring cardiac output.

Supporting Evidence

  • Pulmonary artery catheterization is still considered the clinical gold standard for cardiac output measurement.
  • Newer techniques provide less invasive alternatives but often lack accuracy during hemodynamic instability.
  • Esophageal Doppler and pulse contour monitors can predict fluid responsiveness and reduce postoperative morbidity.

Takeaway

Doctors measure how well the heart is pumping blood using different methods, some of which are less invasive than others, but the most trusted method is still the old one.

Methodology

The article reviews various techniques for measuring cardiac output, comparing their accuracy and reliability.

Limitations

Many minimally invasive techniques suffer from decreased accuracy and reliability during unstable hemodynamic conditions.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1155/2011/475151

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