The determination of cardiac output normalized to body surface area (BSA) after each left ventricular contraction involves a mathematical process. This value represents the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle with each beat, adjusted for individual body size. It is derived by dividing the difference between end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) by the individual’s BSA. For example, if an individual with a BSA of 2 m2 has a difference of 100 mL between their EDV and ESV, the resulting value would be 50 mL/m2.
Evaluating this parameter is vital in assessing cardiovascular function and hemodynamic status. It provides clinicians with a more accurate reflection of heart performance relative to the patient’s size, facilitating the diagnosis and management of heart failure, shock, and other cardiovascular conditions. Historically, the understanding and application of this calculation have evolved alongside advances in echocardiography and hemodynamic monitoring techniques, significantly improving patient care by enabling more precise assessments of cardiac function.