Abstract

We reviewed the comparative trials of the Flotrac/Vigileo^TM versus the thermodilution method, published in the last decade. The results about the agreement between the two methods measuring cardiac output are contrasting. We also noticed that almost the whole pertinent literature include studies conducted without a correct statistical design, particularly about the sample size. For this reason, we consider that results of the published studies do not permit any conclusion about the agreement between pulse contour analysis for cardiac output measurement and thermodilution method.

Key words: Pulse contour wave, cardiac output, haemodynamics.