Comparison of Cardiac Output Measured by Ultrasound Dilution Method and Pulmonary Artery Thermodilution Technique

Comparison of Cardiac Output Measured by Ultrasound Dilution Method and Pulmonary Artery Thermodilution Technique

Cardiac output (CO) is an important hemodynamic variable in the management of critically ill patients. The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) requires invasive techniques with potential complications and there is increasing interest in less invasive methods of measuring CO. This study is designed to compare CO values from PAC thermodilution (COTD) and ultrasound dilution (COUD).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years of age
• Presence of arterial catheter plus central venous pressure monitor and pulmonary artery catheter for hemodynamic monitoring.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years of age
• Patients with structurally abnormal heart (e.g. shunt) (confirmed by history taking)
• Patients who have heparin allergy. (Confirmed by history taking)