Principles of Measurement and Parameters
Operator´s Manual PiCCO
2
Page
Version 3.1
B-5
3
Continuous Pulse Contour Analysis
3.1
Principle
The relationship between blood flow out of the aorta and pressure measured near the aorta (femoral artery or
other large artery) is determined by the compliance function. The compliance function can therefore be
characterized by measuring blood pressure and blood flow (cardiac output) simultaneously. Transpulmonary
thermodilution cardiac output determined simultaneously with continuous arterial pressure measurement is
utilized to calibrate the pulse contour analysis to each individual patient´s aortic compliance function.
3.2
Calibration of the Pulse Contour Cardiac Output
To calibrate the measurement of continuous cardiac output, a reference thermodilution cardiac output is
necessary. The PiCCO
2
uses the transpulmonary thermodilution as reference method.
Figure 5: Calibration of pulse contour analysis by means of thermodilution