• G R Pesola, H P Rostata, and G C Carlon.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, N.Y.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 1992 Jul 1;1(1):76-80.

ObjectiveTo assess the accuracy of room-temperature thermodilution cardiac output measurements from the right ventricular port. In addition, waveform patterns were evaluated to determine the actual location of the right ventricular port.DesignCentral venous port cardiac output measurements were compared with right ventricular port cardiac output measurements using the same right-heart catheter.SettingThe general intensive care unit of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.PatientsThirty-seven critically ill cancer patients with 38 different right-heart catheters were evaluated.InterventionFour injections of 10 mL normal saline at room temperature were made through each port; the results of the last three injections were averaged. Cardiac output determinations from both ports were completed in less than 10 minutes. The order of port injection was random.ResultsNo difference was noted between cardiac output determinations from the two ports in a paired t test. Of 38 right-heart catheters, 17 were in the right ventricle and the other 21 in the right atrium. A comparison of ports in the 17 right ventricle catheters showed no difference with a significant (P < .01; R2 = 0.96) correlation.ConclusionThermodilution cardiac output measurements using 10 mL normal saline at room temperature can be determined accurately using the right ventricular port if the central venous port becomes nonfunctional.

24 keywords...

hide…