Analysis of actual accuracy in cardiac output measurements by means of thermodilution

Abstract

The essential examination in hemodynamic monitoring of the patient is the cardiac output (CO) measurement. Nowadays, in clinical practice the most popular method is indicator dilution, particularly thermodilution. It is realized by applying the Swan-Ganz catheter and observing changes of the indicator concentration. This method is sensitive to many factors and the obtained results should be treated cautiously. The paper presents theoretical and experimental studies of metrological phenomena in CO measurements by means of thermodilution, paying special attention to medical aspects of the measurements. It has been pointed out that the actual unreliability of the mentioned method reaches values from 20% to 45%, which is in opposition to the technical data of patient's monitors (typical accuracy about 5%)