Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A system for providing cardiac output from a patient includes a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen between the proximal and distal ends, and an injection port communicating with the lumen. A first temperature sensor is placed in a blood vessel exiting a first heart ventricle of the patient. A second temperature sensor is placed proximate the injection port. A cardiac output test is performed injecting a medium (or bolus) having contrasting temperature into a first heart chamber of the patient. The injectate temperature is sensed by the second temperature sensor. Blood temperature is sensed by the first temperature sensor as blood carries the medium through the blood vessel. A set of curve data, representative of the sensed blood temperature as a function of time, is stored. The cardiac output test is repeated until a first plurality of sets of curve data are stored. At least one of the first plurality of sets of curve data are displayed.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim