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The transpulmonary thermodilution technique

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Abstract

The transpulmonary thermodilution technique (TPTD) is a safe, multi-parametric advanced cardiopulmonary monitoring technique that provides important parameters required for making decisions in critically ill patients. The TPTD provides more reliable indicators of preload than filling pressures, the unique measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) and comparable accuracy in measuring cardiac output (CO). Intermittent measurement of the CO by TPTD when coupled with pulse contour analysis, offer automatic calibration of continuous CO, as well as accurate assessment of volumetric preload, fluid responsiveness and EVLW. TPTD-guided algorithms have been shown to improve the management of high-risk surgical and critically ill patients.

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Correspondence to Samir G. Sakka.

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Samir Sakka is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany. Daniel A. Reuter is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany. He also received lecturing honoraria from Edwards Lifesciences, Davies, USA in the field of hemodynamic monitoring. Azriel Perel is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of Pulsion Medical Systems, Munich, Germany and a consultant for BMEYE, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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Sakka, S.G., Reuter, D.A. & Perel, A. The transpulmonary thermodilution technique. J Clin Monit Comput 26, 347–353 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10877-012-9378-5

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