Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
Published on: November 28, 2018
Stroke Volume Optimization: Utilization of the Newest Cardiac Vital Sign: Considerations in Recovery from Cardiac
Alexander Johnson1, Jillian Stevenson1, Hong Gu1
1Northwestern Medicine-Central DuPage Hospital, Critical Care-Intensive Care Unit, 25 North Winfield Road, Winfield, IL 60190, USA.
Abstract:
The hemodynamic monitoring landscape is rapidly evolving from pressure-based and static parameters to more blood flow-based and dynamic parameters. Consensus guidelines for cardiac surgery state that the pulmonary artery catheter is neither required nor helpful in most patients. In the meantime, critical care has been searching for the alternatives to the pulmonary artery catheter and protocols for use. Best available evidence for any protocol developed suggests the inclusion of stroke volume optimization to determine fluid responsiveness. Additional strategies to using stroke volume to optimize hemodynamics, including case studies, are discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...
Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac...
Introduction to Vital Signs
Vital signs help healthcare professionals assess an individual's well-being and detect any functional changes...
Guidelines For Measuring Vital Signs
Before taking a patient's vital signs, a nurse would consider and assess the patient's comfort level and ensure appropriate equipment is available.
Regulation of Stroke Volume
Preload refers to the degree of stretch on the heart before it contracts. It's analogous to the stretching of a rubber band; the more it's stretched, the more forcefully it snaps back. This concept is encapsulated in the Frank-Starling law of the...
Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...

