cardiac index
Also written as: CI
Cardiac output normalized to body surface area, expressed in L/min/m².
Full Definition
Cardiac index is a hemodynamic parameter that represents cardiac output adjusted for body size by dividing cardiac output by body surface area. Normal cardiac index ranges from 2.5 to 4.0 L/min/m², providing a standardized measure that allows comparison between patients of different sizes. This parameter is more meaningful than absolute cardiac output when assessing cardiac performance across diverse patient populations. Cardiac index is particularly useful in critically ill patients and during hemodynamic assessments where body habitus significantly affects cardiac output interpretation.
Usage
Usage note: Always include units (L/min/m²) for clarity; commonly abbreviated as CI.
In Context
- "The patient's cardiac index of 1.8 L/min/m² indicated severe cardiac dysfunction." — ICU progress note
- "Inotropic support improved the cardiac index from 2.1 to 3.2 L/min/m²." — Critical care report