Inert Gas Rebreathing in Ventilated Patients

Feasibility of the Non-invasive Determination of Cardiac Output Using Inert Gas Rebreathing in Ventilated Patients

Measuring hemodynamic parameters in ventilated patients is important yet still complicated to perform. Inert gas rebreathing (IGR) showed promising results when being compared to other invasive as well as non-invasive techniques for the measurement of cardiac output. The aim of our study is to evaluate the feasibility of IGR in ventilated patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 18 - 80 years
• mechanically ventilated patient
• existing PiCCO arterial line

Exclusion Criteria:

• FiO2 > 60% (fraction of inspired oxygen)
• PEEP > 10 mmHg (positive end-expiratory pressure)
• SO2 < 90% (oxygen saturation )
• Systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg
• Heart rate > 150 bpm
• APRV (airway pressure release ventilation)
• ICD (implantable cardioverter defibrillator) / pace maker
• [ Anaesthetic Conserving Device (Anaconda) ]