Monitoring Cardiac Output
12-2
12.2 Understanding the C.O. Display
The C.O. measurement is displayed on the monitor as numeric C.O. and BT in the C.O.
parameter window as shown below. To enter the [C.O. Setup] menu, select the C.O.
parameter window.
1. Temperature unit 2. Blood temperature 3. Cardiac output
12.3 Influencing Factors
Some of the factors which affect cardiac output are:
îš„ temperature of injectate solution,
îš„ volume of injectate solution,
 patient’s baseline blood temperature,
 patient’s inspiratory/expiratory cycle,
îš„ placement of catheter with relation to proximity of lung field,
îš„ the catheter itself,
îš„ the patient rhythm and hemodynamic status, and
îš„ any other rapid IV solutions which are infused while the C.O. measurement is being
performed.
Followings are some technique suggestions to obtain accurate C.O.:
 Injectate solution must be cooler than the patient’s blood.
îš„ Inject solution rapidly and smoothly.
îš„ Inject at end expiration.
îš„ Wait 1 minute between injections to allow baseline to stabilized.
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