| Theme |
Current Topics in Monitoring Technologies for Dialysis Therapy |
| Title |
Measurement of cardiac output with impedance method |
| Author |
Kazumi Arai |
Department of Clinical Engineering, Jichi Medical University Hospital |
| Author |
Takao Maeda |
Department of Clinical Engineering, Jichi Medical University Hospital |
| Author |
Yasuhiro Ando |
Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Jichi Medical University Hospital |
| [ Summary ] |
Blood pressure, electrocardiograms, heart rate, and the amount of circulatory blood are used for monitoring hemodynamics during dialysis. In patients with dialysis hypotension or heart diseases, dialysis can be made safer by serial measurement of cardiac output, by which accurate hemodynamics can be monitored in cases of acute cardio-circulatory events. Measurement of cardiac output has traditionally been performed with the thermodilution method, but the impedance method is more useful during dialysis, due to its non-invasiveness, continuous measurement, and simplicity. However further improvements in apparatuses and clinical evaluation would be necessary for further improvements. |