Evaluation of transpulmonary thermodilution as a method to measure cardiac output in anesthetized cats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of a transpulmonary thermodilution (Trans) technique for the measurement of cardiac output, and to determine the agreement between Trans and conventional thermodilution (TD) in anesthetized cats. Using each technique, cardiac output was measured in 5 mature cats (weights 2.4 to 5.6 kg) anesthetized with isoflurane. To induce different levels of cardiac output in each cat, anesthesia was maintained at > 1.5x end-tidal minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane, and at 1.3x end-tidal isoflurane MAC with and without administration of dobutamine. At least 2 comparisons between TD and Trans values were made at each cardiac output rate. Thirty-two of the 42 recorded comparisons were analyzed. Linear regression analysis (TD vs Trans) yielded an r(2) value of 0.83. The mean bias (TD-Trans) was -3.7 mL/kg/min with limits of agreement of -35.9 to 28.5 mL/kg/min. The concordance coefficient was 0.91. The Trans method showed good relationship and good agreement with TD in anesthetized cats. The Trans method is a relatively noninvasive, practical, and safe method to measure cardiac output in anesthetized cats.