1. What is Cardiac Output?

Cardiac Output (CO) is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It is a crucial hemodynamic parameter that indicates how well the heart is functioning and delivering oxygen to the body's tissues.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Cardiac Output formula:

Where:

• \( CO \) — Cardiac Output (ml/min)
• \( SV \) — Stroke Volume (ml)
• \( HR \) — Heart Rate (beats per minute)

Explanation: This equation calculates the total volume of blood pumped by the heart each minute by multiplying the amount of blood pumped per beat (stroke volume) by the number of beats per minute (heart rate).

3. Importance of Cardiac Output Calculation

Details: Measuring cardiac output is essential for assessing cardiovascular function, diagnosing heart conditions, monitoring critically ill patients, and guiding treatment decisions in various clinical settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter stroke volume in milliliters (ml) and heart rate in beats per minute (bpm). Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal cardiac output value?
A: Normal cardiac output ranges from 4-8 liters per minute (4000-8000 ml/min) for a healthy adult at rest, but varies based on body size, age, and fitness level.

Q2: How is stroke volume measured in clinical practice?
A: Stroke volume can be measured using various methods including echocardiography (using VTI method), thermodilution, or pulse contour analysis.

Q3: What factors can affect cardiac output?
A: Factors include heart rate, contractility, preload, afterload, body position, exercise, temperature, and various medications.

Q4: When is cardiac output measurement most important?
A: It's crucial in managing heart failure, shock, during major surgery, in intensive care units, and when monitoring response to cardiovascular medications.

Q5: How does VTI relate to stroke volume?
A: Velocity Time Integral (VTI) is a Doppler echocardiography measurement that represents the distance blood travels with each heartbeat, which when multiplied by the cross-sectional area of the outflow tract gives stroke volume.