Pulmonary blood flow (cardiac output) and the effective lung volume determined from a short breath hold using the...

This work attempts to show how pulmonary blood flow (Qp), cardiac output (CO(Fick)) and the lung volume of effective gas exchange (ELV) can be determined from breath-by-breath measurements of the tidal exhaled CO2 elimination V (litre/min) and the end tidal CO2 concentration P (%) using the differential Fick method. The measurements are made during steady state ventilation and when the CO2 balance in the lungs changes subsequent to a perturbation of the gas exchange conditions.

A short breath hold is used to implement such a perturbation. V and P were measured in patients on mechanical ventilation. When the end tidal CO2 values were stable, the end inspiratory pause of a single breath was prolonged 3 seconds as compared to the normal ventilation pattern. From the changes induced in P and V, Qp, CO(Fick) and ELV are obtained.

Cardiac output values were measured in 18 patients after CABG. CO(Fick) was found to be in good agreement with the thermodilution cardiac output reference COth. (n = 51 and (COth-CO(Fick)) with Mean = -0.17 litre/ minute and SI) = 0.62 litre/minute).

With a single breath perturbation, the differential Fick method can yield cardiopulmonary information using 2-3 breaths only and with a minimum of interference with the patient. Complete data analysis results in multiple determinations of the Qp and ELV values which improve the attainable precision. Our investigation points to the possibility to determine Qp, CO(Fick) and ELV also during spontaneous breathing, by using the natural tidal variations of V and P.