Semiinvasive cardiac output measurement using a combined transesophageal ultrasound device. First experiences

Objective: Measurement of cardiac output (CO) with pulmonary artery cathete r (PAC) is currently item of many discussions. We investigated the reliabil ity of results using the noninvasive measurement of aortic blood flow (ABF) (combined Doppler- and M-Mode transesophageal ultrasound, Dynemo 3000, Som etec Inc, Paris, France). Methods: In 75 patients during cardiac or major abdominal surgery we perfor med 313 simultaneous measurements of CO and ABF Results: Placement of ultrasound probe into correct position took less than 2 min. Quality and stability of ultrasound signals were good. The coeffici ent of correlation between ABF and CO was found to be 0.89 with CO=0.97xABF +1.1, Bland-Altman-Test positive. Conclusion: Results of ABF detected by combined Doppler- and M-Mode-Echogra phy are comparable with results of CO obtained by PAC. Therefore we are con vinced that this noninvasive method will find its place in clinical situati ons of compromised CO.