Multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic doppler imaging accurately determines cardiac output measurements in critically ill patients.
OBJECTIVE
To compare cardiac output and stroke volume measured by multiplane transesophageal Doppler echocardiography with that measured by the thermodilution technique.


METHODS
Prospective direct comparison of paired measurements by both techniques in each patient.


METHODS
Cardiac surgery and myocardial infarction intensive care units.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients, mean age (+/- SD) 67 +/- 8 years. Nineteen had undergone open heart surgery and 10 had suffered acute myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Cardiac output and stroke volume were measured simultaneously by the thermodilution technique and multiplane transesophageal Doppler echocardiography via the transgastric view (119 +/- 8 degrees) with the sample volume positioned at the level of the left ventricular outflow tract.


RESULTS
Stroke volume and cardiac output measurements were obtained in 29 of 33 patients (88%). Mean values were 50 +/- 13 mL and 4.8 +/- 1.3 L/min by Doppler and 51 +/- 14 mL and 4.9 +/- 1.4 L/min by thermodilution (r = 0.90, r = 0.91, p < 0.001). The mean differences in values obtained with the two techniques were 1 +/- 6 mL (2 +/- 12%) and 0.1 +/- 0.7 L/min (2 +/- 12%).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiplane transesophageal echocardiography enhances the ability to estimate accurately cardiac output and stroke volume by providing new access to left ventricular outflow tract in critically ill patients.
Feinberg
M S
MS
Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Hopkins
W E
WE
Davila-Roman
V G
VG
Barzilai
B
B
D000368:Aged; D002302:Cardiac Output; D016638:Critical Illness; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013815:Thermodilution; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left