cardiac output measurement
The quantitative assessment of the volume of blood pumped by the heart per unit time, typically expressed in liters per minute.
Full Definition
Cardiac output measurement refers to various techniques used to quantify the heart's pumping function, representing the volume of blood ejected by the left ventricle per minute. Methods include invasive techniques such as thermodilution using pulmonary artery catheters, Fick method using oxygen consumption, and non-invasive approaches like echocardiographic calculations, bioimpedance, and MRI flow quantification. Normal cardiac output is approximately 4-8 L/min in adults, varying with body size, age, and physiological demands. Accurate measurement is crucial for hemodynamic assessment, heart failure management, and perioperative monitoring. The choice of measurement technique depends on clinical context, patient stability, and required accuracy.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify measurement method and include normal reference ranges for context.
In Context
- "Cardiac output measurement by thermodilution revealed significantly reduced values at 2.8 L/min." — Hemodynamic assessment report
- "Non-invasive cardiac output measurement using echocardiography showed normal values for body surface area." — Echocardiogram report