Cardiac output

Cardiac output (CO) is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It can be calculated using the following formula:

 

CO = HR × SV 

 

Where:

Stroke Volume (SV) is the amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle during each heartbeat, typically measured in milliliters (mL).

Heart Rate (HR) is the number of heartbeats per minute.

 

Normal cardiac output for an adult at rest is typically around 4 to 8 liters per minute.

 

Methods to measure cardiac output (CO)-

1. Fick principle: Based on the oxygen consumption of the body.

2. Thermodilution: Involves the injection of a cold solution into the bloodstream and measuring the temperature change downstream.

3. Echocardiography: Uses ultrasound to measure blood flow and stroke volume.

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