American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Review Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of injectate volume on thermodilution measurements of cardiac output in patients with low ventricular ejection fraction.
To determine the effect of 5-mL injectate on cardiac output measurements in critically ill patients with low ventricular ejection fraction (< 35%). ⋯ Cardiac outputs measured with 5- and 10-mL injectates do not differ significantly. The greater variability of measurements obtained with a 5-mL injectate suggests that more measurements, and thus more time, are needed to measure cardiac output accurately. Clinicians must weigh the benefit of minimizing fluid volume used against the potential decreased reliability of cardiac output measurements.