Abstract:
A non-invasive cardiac output and left ventricular ejection volume monitor system includes a first arrangement disposed on a given portion of a patient's body having a fluid passageway therein in juxtaposition with the given portion of the body; a second arrangement coupled to an inlet of the passsageway to cause a fluid to continuously flow therethrough at a controllable input temperature and flow rate; and a third arrangement coupled to the second arrangement and an outlet of the passageway to determine energy transferred between the fluid and the given portion of the body, the determined energy transfer being a measure of cardiac output. A fourth arrangement is disposed at an extremity of the body and is coupled to the third arrangement, the fourth arrangement dividing the cardiac output by the heart rate to provide an indication of the left ventricular ejection volume.
Abstract:
A monitoring device for cardiac efficiency and cardiac sufficiency receives signals in a line (2) representative of ventricular pressures and volumes, body temperature, age and sex of a subject (1) implanted with a pulmonary artery ejection fraction catheter (1A). Cardiac efficiency is determined as the ratio of the mechanical work of the heart performed in one cardiac cycle which is equal to the difference of pre-injection and post-ejection potential to the highest pre-ejection potential. Metabolic rate is determined as a multiple of the minimum cardiac work necessary to sustain life. Cardiac power is determined as the ratio of cardiac work to the time in which this work is performed. Cardiac efficiency and cardiac power are used to determine myocardial impairment, dysfunctions, sufficiency and insufficiency.