THE PERIOPERATIVE USE OF THE ESOPHAGEAL DOPPLER MONITOR IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY-ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION - A COMPARISON WITH THE CONTINUOUS CARDIAC-OUTPUT MONITOR

This study was carried out to evaluate the ease of use and reliability of cardiac output estimations performed by an oesophageal Doppler mon itor and to compare its use with that of a continuous cardiac output p ulmonary flotation catheter. Measurements were made during and after s urgery in 16 patients scheduled to undergo coronary revascularisation. Both devices suffered significant intra-operative problems which led us to question their suitability as operating theatre monitors. After surgery the continuous cardiac output monitor provided stable results while the oesophageal Doppler monitor required the continuous presence of an experienced anaesthetist to ensure comparable cardiac output es timations.