The Determination of Cardiac Output by the Dilution Method without Arterial Sampling

Abstract

The selection of an external site for a radioisotope determination of cardiac output is discussed with respect to satisfying the analytical conditions of the Stewart-Hamilton dilution equation. Examples of both single-chamber and multichamber recording are illustrated, along with a discussion of the difficulties of curve calibration and extrapolation from multiple sites. The development of a method independent of critical placement or patient variability is described.