• R J Peterson, N Kissoon, E J Bayne, W J Marvin, S P Murphy, and E L Ceithaml.
• Department of Surgery, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville 32209.
• Crit. Care Med. 1994 Aug 1;22(8):1294-300.

ObjectiveTo compare measurements of cardiac output utilizing an improved transtracheal Doppler technology with measurements obtained using two-dimensional echocardiography.DesignProspective, descriptive study.SettingCardiovascular intensive care unit at a university medical center.PatientsFourteen children ranging in age from 14 days to 3 yrs (mean 1.3 +/- .97 yrs) following surgery for complex congenital heart disease.InterventionsSimultaneous cardiac output determinations using transtracheal Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography were compared. Cardiac output was determined using measurement of blood velocity and diameter of the ascending aorta following surgery. Direct aortic diameter measurements made at operation were compared with measurements obtained by transtracheal Doppler, two-dimensional echocardiography and angiography.ResultsThe mean difference in aortic root diameter between measurements made directly at operation and transtracheal Doppler was 5%, compared with 13% by two-dimensional echocardiography, and 21% by angiography, a significant difference by analysis of variance (F[3,31],p < .007). Post hoc comparisons demonstrated significant (p < .05) differences between echocardiography and angiographic aortic diameters. The mean difference between transtracheal Doppler and echocardiographic determination of cardiac output was 10.9% (t[10] = -1.37, p = .007).ConclusionsAn improved transtracheal Doppler technology compares favorably with echocardiographic determination of cardiac output in infants and young children. This improved technology may provide a useful means to assess cardiac output and may allow titration of therapy in critically ill infants and children.

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