See PiCCO CD in Registrars office.
This method has evolved as an alternative to catheterization of the right heart in an attempt to elucidate further the concept of cardiac pre-load and patient fluid status.
Aims
Measurement of cardiac output by means other than PA catheter.
Estimation of pre-load, intra-thoracic blood volume extra-vascular lung water.
Technique
- Trans-pulmonary thermo dilution measurement and analysis of pulse contour.