Advanced Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Clinical assessment of cardiac output by interpretation of indirect parameters has proven to be inaccurate, irrespective of the level of experience of the clinician. Objective cardiac output monitoring is feasible in newborn infants in intensive care. The most promising methods include transthoracic echocardiography, transcutaneous Doppler, electrical biosensing technologies, transpulmonary ultrasound dilution, and arterial pulse contour analysis. Simultaneous assessment of blood pressure and cardiac output enables the identification of the earliest stage of shock. Comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring is pivotal for an individualized pathophysiology-based hemodynamic management.