Method and apparatus for measuring cardiac output.

摘要

Cardiac output is measured utilizing an indicator, such as saline, which alters blood resistivity, and an electrically calibrated conductivity cell positioned at the tip of a catheter. The catheter with the tetrapolar conductivity cell at the top is inserted into a blood vessel for current injection to develop a potential which is proportional to blood resistivity for inscribing the dilution curve occurring due to injection of the indicator, which curve is utilized to determine blood flow or cardiac output.