Letter
Cardiac output measurements using the bioreactance technique in critically ill patients
Department of Intensive Care, Erasme University Hospital, Route de Lennik 808, Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
Critical Care 2012, 16:460 doi:10.1186/cc11481
Published: 9 November 2012Abstract
Measurement of cardiac output (CO) using minimally invasive devices has gained popularity. In 11 patients we compared CO values obtained using the bioreactance technique - a new continuous, totally non-invasive CO monitor - with those obtained by semi-continuous thermodilution using a pulmonary artery catheter. We obtained CO measurements at study inclusion and after any relevant change in hemodynamic status (spontaneous or during fluid challenge, inotrope or vasopressor infusions). There was a poor correlation between the two techniques (r = 0.145). These data suggest that caution should be applied when using bioreactance devices in critically ill patients.
