Non-invasive Cardiac Output Monitoring in Congenital Heart Disease

Purpose of review: Cardiac output (CO) is a fundamental physiological parameter that measures the volume of blood that is pumped by the heart per unit of time, and helps define how oxygen is delivered to the tissues of the human body. In this paper, we discuss current methods of continuous CO monitoring while defining low CO syndrome (LCOS) and how analytical tools may help improve CO management in the subpopulation of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Recent findings: Non-invasive methods of measuring CO have become increasingly available in recent years. Advantages of non-invasive over invasive techniques include decreased risk of procedural complications, decreased exposure to sedative and/or anesthetic agents, and increased patient comfort. Pediatric patient populations are particularly sensitive to the risks and complications of invasive techniques given the relative size of current technologies to pediatric vascular and cardiac dimensions. Summary: Novel device technologies, combined with emerging analytical techniques, may help improve measurement of CO in children and those with CHD, and allow earlier detection of LCOS.