Transpulmonary thermodilution assessments: precise measurements require a precise procedure.

Giraud R; Siegenthaler N; Bendjelid K

doi:10.1186/cc10459

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Journal article

Transpulmonary thermodilution assessments: precise measurements require a precise procedure.

Giraud R Service of Intensive Care, Geneva University Hospitals, CH-1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
Siegenthaler N
Bendjelid K

2011-10-15

Published in:

Critical care (London, England). - 2011

English When incorporating the values of a hemodynamic parameter into the care of patients, the precision of the measurement method should always be considered. A prospective analysis in the previous issue of Critical Care showed that the precision of transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) allows for reliable mean values if a standardised procedure is used. The present finding has a physiological basis, as TPTD requires a more prolonged transit time, which in turn reduces the effects that airway pressure and arrhythmia have on venous return-cardiac output steady states. Moreover, this result suggests that the current accepted threshold value of a 15% increase in cardiac output to identify a positive response to a fluid challenge could be reduced in the future. Indeed, this value is mainly related to the precision of the pulmonary artery catheter.

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