Filter
Top Products
C.O./CCO Curve Alert Messages 13 Monitoring Cardiac Output
171
C.O./CCO Curve Alert Messages
After each measurement trial, the monitor analyzes the thermodilution curve. If the curve appears
abnormal, a curve alert message appears in the C.O. procedure window. A question mark symbol (“
?”)
may appear next to the cardiac output numeric if any of these messages appear. The curve alert
messages are not error messages and do not necessarily mean that the measured values are invalid.
C.O./CCO Curve Alert Messages Possible Causes
Tinj off scale The Tinjectate is out of the range -1°C and 30°C. Cool down or heat
up the injectate or change the injectate solution and repeat the
measurement.
Noisy Baseline A blood temperature baseline drift that could not be compensated
was detected during the C.O. measurement. Possible causes are:
- Interference may be caused by a ventilator.
- Interference may be caused by an infusion pump: infusions of
significant volume through the central line should be paused at least
30 seconds before the first thermodilution measurement in a series
and should not recommence until the measurement series is
completed.
- Do not administer injections through the central line during a
measurement series.
- Electrical devices in the vicinity can cause interference: check for
infusion pumps connected to the central catheter, cables parallel to
the thermodilution cable, electrocautery. Make sure all devices are
properly grounded.
- Wait until measurement results are displayed before moving the
patient or catheter.
- Close the stopcock to the injectate syringe after the injection.
- Do not rinse the catheter during measurement, to avoid
temperature fluctuations.
Temperature Baseline
Drift
May occur if patient is recovering from open heart surgery, or if
patient was cooled down for surgery and is in the process of regaining
normal body temperature when the measurement is made.
Small signal, more
indicator required
The peak of the transpulmonary thermodilution curve was below
0.1ºC. Increase injectate volume and/or lower injectate temperature.
Injectate Temperature
too High
The difference between the blood and injectate temperatures is too
small. The calculated value for C.O. may not be accurate.
High ETVI, use cold
injectate or greater
inj. volume
The ETVI value is too high. The accuracy of the transpulmonary
thermodilution measurement may be reduced. Increase injectate
volume and/or lower injectate temperature following the guidelines
given in the section “Guidelines for PiCCO C.O. Injectate” on
page 170.
Disturbed Injection The injection should be performed quickly and with a steady
pressure. Shaking, unsteady pressure, or injections that take longer
than six seconds may cause this message to appear; you should bear
this in mind if you are using a large injectate volume (> 10 ml).