Computation of Cardiac Output by Pulse Wave Contour

Cardiac output is an important parameter to assess cardiovascular function. Luo Zhichang has got the clinically useful form of cardiac output through years of study. In the long-term experiment, we found that the normal physiological condition with same K value has different pulse waveform. Sometimes the cardiac output derived from K value is far from its actual value in some cases. Methods: The pulse waveform is divided into two parts by dicrotic wave trough point based on the pulse contour characteristic value K, with two corresponding pulse contour characteristic value K
₁
and K
₂
Results: K
₁
and K
₂
are introduced to the computation of cardiac output under different physiological conditions. Conclusion: After pulse contour characteristic value K has been divided into K
₁
and K
₂
, the parameters measuring physiological conditions become three parameters, K, K
₁
, and K
₂
. It has solved the problem that the different physiological condition has the same K value. It wins great value in the clinical application daily use.