cardiac index
Also written as: CI — cardiac index
Cardiac output normalized to body surface area, expressed in liters per minute per square meter.
Full Definition
Cardiac index is a hemodynamic parameter that represents cardiac output normalized to body surface area, typically expressed in L/min/m². It provides a more accurate assessment of cardiac performance than cardiac output alone by accounting for differences in patient size. Normal cardiac index ranges from 2.5-4.0 L/min/m², with values below 2.2 indicating impaired cardiac performance. In cardiac anesthesia, cardiac index is frequently monitored using pulmonary artery catheters or other advanced monitoring devices to guide inotropic therapy, fluid management, and assessment of cardiac function during and after surgery.
Usage
Usage note: Always express with units L/min/m² and commonly abbreviated as CI.
In Context
- "The patient's cardiac index improved from 1.8 to 3.2 L/min/m² after dobutamine infusion." — hemodynamic assessment
- "Cardiac index monitoring revealed inadequate cardiac performance requiring inotropic support." — anesthesia record