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Abstract

Method, system, and apparatus for evaluating hemodynamic parameters and, in particular, cardiac output. A pulmonary artery catheter is described which incorporates a diffuser of gas biocompatible with the body such as oxygen at an indwelling region such that the gas may be employed to carry out a dilution technique to measure cardiac output. A mixed venous blood gas level then is measured at the pulmonary artery using a gas sensor. The preferred gas sensor employs oximetry to derive values of mixed venous oxygen saturation. An alternate embodiment utilizes an electrode/electrolyte approach as the gas sensor to carry out measurement of dissolved oxygen in mixed venous blood. The system utilizes a microprocessor driven controller to develop multiple evaluations over sequential measurement intervals and to compute a variety of hemodynamic parameters including the noted cardiac output.

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First Claim