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Thermodilution cardiac output measurement with a large left-to-right shunt

Journal of Clinical Monitoring volume 7, pages 146–153 (1991)Cite this article

Abstract

Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilution method in a patient with a left-to-right shunt undergoing cardiac catheterization. It appeared that the thermodilution method measured systemic rather than pulmonary blood flow. This occurred because of the slow injection of injectate in the presence of a large left-to-right shunt. Theoretical thermodilution cardiac output curves are provided to illustrate the interaction of these two factors when three different durations of injection and four different shunt sizes are used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. From the Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305-5117, Stanford, CA

    Ronald G. Pearl PhD, MD & Lawrence C. Siegel MD

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  1. Ronald G. Pearl PhD, MD
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  2. Lawrence C. Siegel MD
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Pearl, R.G., Siegel, L.C. Thermodilution cardiac output measurement with a large left-to-right shunt. J Clin Monitor Comput 7, 146–153 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01618114

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01618114

Key words

  • Measurement techniques: thermodilution
  • Heart: cardiac output