Welcome to your comprehensive Cardiac Output (CO) assessment hub. This interactive dashboard allows you to calculate cardiac output using several established methods, including the Fick principle, Doppler echocardiography, and thermodilution. Understanding your heart’s efficiency begins with accurate cardiac output measurement. For a basic understanding, you might first want to read about what cardiac output is.

Cardiac Output Calculator

Select Your Cardiac Output Calculation Method

Choose from the methods below to calculate cardiac output. Each calculator is designed for ease of use while maintaining clinical accuracy. You can also find links to detailed explanations for each method.

Cardiac Output Calculator

mL/min
Typical range: 200-300 mL/min at rest
mL/L
Typical range: 180-200 mL/L
mL/L
Typical range: 130-150 mL/L

Fick Principle Formula

CO = VO2 / (CaO2 – CvO2)

Where:

  • CO = Cardiac Output (L/min)
  • VO2 = Oxygen Consumption (mL/min)
  • CaO2 = Arterial Oxygen Content (mL/L)
  • CvO2 = Venous Oxygen Content (mL/L)
cm²
Typical range: 2-4 cm²
cm
Typical range: 15-25 cm
beats/min
Typical range: 60-100 beats/min at rest

Doppler Method Formula

CO = CSA × VTI × HR × 0.01

Where:

  • CO = Cardiac Output (L/min)
  • CSA = Cross-Sectional Area of aortic root (cm²)
  • VTI = Velocity Time Integral (cm)
  • HR = Heart Rate (beats/min)
  • 0.01 = Conversion factor (cm³ to L)
mL
Typical range: 5-10 mL
°C
Typical range: 36-37 °C
°C
Typical range: 0-25 °C
°C·s
Typical range: Depends on measurement
unitless
Typical value: 0.825 for cold injectate

Thermodilution Formula

CO = (V × (TB – TI) × K) / AUC

Where:

  • CO = Cardiac Output (L/min)
  • V = Injectate Volume (mL)
  • TB = Blood Temperature (°C)
  • TI = Injectate Temperature (°C)
  • K = Computation Constant (unitless)
  • AUC = Area Under Temperature-Time Curve (°C·s)

Integrated Cardiac Output Assessment Tool

(Future Enhancement: This section could host an integrated tool where users can input data once and see results from applicable methods, or switch between calculators seamlessly.)

For now, please use the dedicated calculator pages linked above for precise calculations.

Normal Cardiac Output Range: Typically 4-8 L/min in adults at rest. This can vary. See our guide on normal cardiac output values for more details.

Why Multiple Methods?

Different clinical scenarios and available resources dictate the most appropriate method for cardiac output measurement. Some methods are non-invasive, while others offer higher precision but require invasive procedures. Comparing results can sometimes provide a more comprehensive clinical picture. Learn more about comparing these calculation methods.

Understanding Your Results

Cardiac output is a critical indicator of cardiovascular health. It reflects the heart's ability to pump blood to meet the body's metabolic demands. Factors such as age, fitness level, and underlying medical conditions can influence CO. Always interpret results in the context of the patient's overall clinical condition and consult with healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment.

Further explore the clinical significance of cardiac output and the factors that influence it on our blog.

Additional Cardiac Assessment Tools

Beyond basic CO, we also offer calculators for related parameters:

Our mission is to provide accessible and reliable tools for cardiovascular assessment. For in-depth medical information, consider resources like the American Heart Association or UpToDate for peer-reviewed medical content.

For any questions or further information, please refer to our Cardiac Output FAQs.