Physicians’ Estimates of Cardiac Index and Intravascular Volume Based on Clinical Assessment Versus Transesophageal Doppler Measurements Obtained by Critical Care Nurses

Abstract

Physicians' assessment of cardiac index and intravascular volume in patients receiving mechanical ventilation is correct less than half of the time. Transesophageal Doppler imaging by critical care nurses appears to be a safe method for measuring cardiac index and estimating intravascular volume. Measurements obtained via Doppler imaging correlate well with those obtained via pulmonary artery catheterization.