The method utilizes oxygen consumption, arterial oxygen content, and venous oxygen content to determine cardiac output. This calculation relies on the principle that the oxygen consumed by the body is equal to the difference between arterial and venous oxygen content multiplied by the blood flow. As an example, if the body consumes 250 mL of oxygen per minute, arterial oxygen content is 200 mL/L, and venous oxygen content is 150 mL/L, the cardiac output can be derived using a specific formula incorporating these variables. This calculated output is then indexed to body surface area to normalize the value.
This approach provides a non-invasive or minimally invasive means to assess circulatory function. It offers clinicians valuable insights into a patient’s hemodynamic status, which can aid in the diagnosis and management of various cardiovascular conditions. Historically, this principle offered one of the first methodologies to measure blood flow, marking a significant advance in cardiovascular physiology.
