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13 Monitoring Cardiac Output Measuring C.O. Using the Right Heart Thermodilution Method
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Measuring C.O. Using the Right Heart
Thermodilution Method
In the right heart thermodilution method, a fluid of known volume and temperature is injected into
the right atrium through the proximal port of a pulmonary artery (PA) (Swan-Ganz) catheter. The
injectate bolus mixes with the blood in the right ventricle and the change in blood temperature is
measured with a thermistor at the distal end of the catheter in the pulmonary artery.
Setting up RH C.O. Measurements
1 Set up the PA line using a PA catheter.
2 Attach the injectate temperature probe
housing to the PA line.
3 Plug the C.O. interface cable into the
C.O. module or measurement server
extension and connect the following
devices into the C.O. interface cable:
– injectate temperature probe
– remote start switch (if used).
Follow your hospital standards to avoid
unintentional extraction of the C.O.
catheter. Secure the cable using the
mounting clip shipped with each C.O.
interface cable. You may also find it
helpful to loop the C.O. interface cable,
tape the loop, and attach it to the
undersheet of the patient's bed using a
safety pin.
4 Plug the thermistor connection cable of
the PA catheter into the thermistor
connector.
5 Connect the injectate temperature probe
to the injectate temperature probe
housing.
6 Check that the correct measurement
method is selected.
If a catheter is already connected to the Cardiac Output Interface Cable, the monitor automatically
recognizes the method used. If not, in the
Setup C.O. menu, select Method and then select
Right Heart.
Ice-Bath Setup for RH Thermodilution C.O. Measurements
If you are using the flow-through method illustrated above, the injectate temperature is measured at
the time of injection by the temperature probe in the injectate temperature probe housing.
C.O. Module
C.O. Interface Cable
Remote Start Switch
Thermistor
Connector
Injectate
Temperature
Probe
Thermistor
Connection
Cable
PA Catheter
Injectate
Syringe
Injectate
Temperature
Probe Housing