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How
to get a Cardiac Output. |
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Step
1: Measure the Diameter of the LVOT. The diameter
can be of the LVOT should be obtained from the midesophageal
AVLAX view, in mid systole, and under the zoom mode.
The view of the LVOT should not be an obtuse angle
view. The aortic valve leaflets (NCC and RCC)
should be clearly seen. The zoom mode will decrease
the error present in the calculation. Since
the LVOT diameter changes throughout systole, the mid systole
measurement should be obtained. |
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Step
2: Obtain a VTI of the LVOT. The
VIT of the LVOT is obtained from a PWD of the LVOT.
The PWD of the LVOT should be obtained at the
same location as the LVOT diameter measurement.
The PWD beam should not be off more than 15 degrees from
parallel to the LVOT flow. After tracing the
flow on the echocardiographic machine, a VTI of the
PWD tracing will be calculated. A continuous
wave doppler (CWD) of the LVOT could be obtained,
but, since the CWD introduces ambiguity into the equation
and since flows in the LVOT rarely exceed the aliasing
velocity of the pulse wave doppler, PWD is the best
measurement mode. |
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Step
3: Obtain a patient's height and HR.
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