Bioimpedance versus thermodilution cardiac output measurement: the Bomed NCCOM3 after coronary bypass surgery

A comparison of noninvasive bioreactance with oesophageal Doppler estimation of stroke volume during open abdominal surgery: an observational study

CONTEXT

The anaesthetist must maintain tissue perfusion by ensuring optimal perioperative fluid balance. This can be achieved using less invasive cardiac output monitors such as oesophageal Doppler monitoring (ODM). Other less invasive cardiac output monitors using bio-impedence technology (noninvasive cardiac output monitoring, NICOM) may have a role in monitoring the circulation and informing fluid management decisions.

OBJECTIVE

To compare estimates of stroke volume from ODM with those from NICOM, a noninvasive monitor using bioreactance, a modification of transthoracic bio-impedence.

DESIGN

An observational study.

SETTING

Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK. Data collected in 2011 and 2012.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-two patients scheduled for major, open abdominal surgery. Reasons for noninclusion: atrial fibrillation; heart failure; oesophageal disease; lack of capacity; and known sensitivity to colloid.

INTERVENTION

All patients had oesophageal Doppler cardiac output monitoring as a standard element of anaesthesia care. We placed NICOM Bioreactance electrodes and recorded stroke volume estimates from both devices. Fluid challenges were given by the anaesthetist and the haemodynamic responses were recorded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Stroke volume during surgery. The Bland-Altman method was used to compare bias and limits of agreement for stroke volume and cardiac output. Fluid responders were defined as patients who increased stroke volume by at least 10% after fluid loading. The precision of each device was calculated during periods of haemodynamic stability.

RESULTS

We made 788 acceptable measurements of cardiac output. The bias was -6.9 ml and the limits of agreement were -22.9 to 36.8 ml. The percentage error was 57%. Average precision for both the ODM and NICOM were similar, 8.5% (SD 5.4%) and 8.7% (SD 3.2%). The concordance for the stroke volume change following fluid challenge was 90.5%. Both devices produced unacceptable readings with electrical diathermy.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous stroke volume estimations made by noninvasive Bioreactance (NICOM) and oesophageal Doppler showed bias and limits of agreement that are not clinically acceptable. The measurements made by these two devices cannot be regarded as interchangeable.

Non-invasive cardiac output by transthoracic electrical bioimpedence in post-cardiac surgery patients: comparison with thermodilution method

OBJECTIVE

Thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) cardiac output (CO) is being explored increasingly as a non-invasive alternative to the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). This study compared TEB-CO measured using a new instrument--NICOMON (Larsen & Toubro Ltd. India) with thermodilution (Td) CO in post-cardiac surgery patients.

METHODS

Postoperative cardiac surgical patients requiring a PAC for their management were studied. TEB-CO was measured by passing a 4 mA RMS alternating current across the chest and measuring the analog bioimpedence across the thorax. Kubicek equation was used to estimate TEB-CO. Td-CO was measured using a PAC. Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare paired data.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-seven pairs of CO measurements were made by the two methods among 35 patients. Mean TEB-CO was 5.15 +/- 1.27 l/min and mean Td-CO was 5.22 +/- 1.28 l/min. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for these measurements was 0.856 (P < 0.01), with bias -0.0651 l and precision: +/-1.37 l/min. The percentage error of measurement of this precision was 26.44%. Cardiac index also correlated among the two methods (r = 0.789; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic electrical bioimpedance cardiac output compares favorably with thermodilution method among post-cardiac surgery patients. Further studies are indi- cated with this instrument to validate its efficacy in various clinical situations and utility in monitoring hemodynamic interventions.

Diagnosis and monitoring of hemorrhagic shock during the initial resuscitation of multiple trauma patients: a review

The initial management of the multiple trauma victim requires evaluation for potential hemorrhage and ongoing monitoring to assess the efficacy of resuscitation and avoid complications related to hemorrhagic shock. A variety of strategies exist to assess circulatory status, including hemodynamic monitoring, tissue perfusion measurement, and use of serum markers of metabolism. We review available technologies used to assess fluid status and tissue perfusion in patients with blood loss or hemorrhagic shock, discuss how these methods can be used effectively and efficiently during initial trauma resuscitation to guide therapy and disposition, and suggest directions for future research to improve outcomes by providing more appropriate and timely care and avoiding unnecessary complications.

Cardiac output can be reliably measured noninvasively after coronary artery bypass grafting operation

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability of whole-body impedance cardiography in the measurement of cardiac output after coronary artery bypass grafting operation in comparison with the thermodilution method.

DESIGN

Prospective, consecutive sampling.

PATIENTS

A total of 82 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were investigated. In a group of 41 patients who were intubated, cardiac output measurements were taken simultaneously with whole-body impedance cardiography and the thermodilution method within the first 3 hrs after the operation (early intensive care unit [ICU] period). In another group of 41 patients, the measurements were taken before the operation and in the second 12 hrs after cardiac surgery (late ICU period).

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The agreement between the thermodilution and whole-body impedance cardiography cardiac output measurements was good before the operation, bias 0.04 +/- 1.64 L/min (n = 41), and in the late ICU period, bias 0.00 +/- 1.84 L/min (+/-2 SD) (n = 41). The results were within 20% in 81%-85% of the cases. The agreement was satisfactory in the early ICU period, bias 0.38 +/- 2.74 L/min (n = 41). It was presumed that thermal instability of the patients was one possible source of measurement errors in the thermodilution method, causing reduced agreement between the methods in this period. The repeatability values (rv = 2.83 x SDs) for whole-body impedance cardiography were 0.44 L/min before the operation, 0.30 L/min in the early ICU period, and 0.65 L/min in the late ICU period, being significantly better than for the thermodilution method (0.79, 0.51, and 1.11 L/min, respectively) in all phases of the investigation (p < .001). The agreement between the thermodilution method and whole-body impedance cardiography is similar to reported comparisons between invasive methods in analogous settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-body impedance cardiography reliably measures cardiac output in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting operation. The excellent repeatability of whole-body impedance cardiography enhances the value of the method in continuous monitoring of patients after the operation.

Reliability and precision of a new thoracic electrical bioimpedance monitor in a lower body negative pressure model

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability and precision of measurement in a new thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) monitor.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical trial using healthy volunteers.

SETTING

Military tertiary care teaching hospital.

SUBJECTS

Seventy-five healthy adult volunteers taking no medications.

INTERVENTIONS

Induction of severe preload reduction using a standardized lower-body negative pressure protocol. Measurement of hemodynamic variables using a TEB monitor before, during, and immediately after application of negative pressure.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Seventy-five subjects were enrolled and completed the study. Pulse, blood pressure, stroke index, cardiac index, systolic time ratios (STR), and index of contractility were obtained on all subjects undergoing monitoring with the lower body negative pressure (LBNP) device. Hemodynamic measurements were recorded at 15-sec intervals during incremental application of 0, -10, -20, -40, and -60 mm Hg pressure for 10 mins at each pressure. Maximal tolerated LBNP produced reductions in cardiac, stroke, and contractility indices of 50%, 65%, and 45%, respectively. Pulse and STRs increased 44% and 113%, respectively. The precision of measurement (mean +/- 2 SD) for TEB-derived cardiac and stroke index was 16% and 10%, respectively. Repeatability of measurement was assessed by measuring hemodynamic changes after the abrupt cessation of maximal LBNP. There were significant increases in stroke index (p < .001) and decreases in STRs (p < .001) and pulse (p < .001) 3 mins after LBNP. There was no significant difference between initial and post-LBNP cardiac index (p > .05). Regression equations were applied to scattergram plots of stroke index vs. STRs and index of contractility vs. body mass. The use of these plots allowed elimination of values that appeared to be spurious (stroke index vs. STRs) and also raised the question whether the Sramek-Bemstein equation (stroke volume = left ventricular ejection time x volume of electrically participating tissue x dZ/dt/Zo) fully explained all the factors affecting the TEB waveform.

CONCLUSIONS

This new monitor appears to overcome many of the signal processing problems encountered with previous devices. The results clearly demonstrate that accurate and reliable measurement of bioimpedance waveforms is possible and suggest that the monitor is capable of generating precise hemodynamic data across a wide spectrum of hemodynamic alterations. However, the evidence also indicates that new algorithms may be needed to more fully explain the multiple factors affecting this waveform.

A meta-analysis of three decades of validating thoracic impedance cardiography

OBJECTIVE

To provide a meta-analysis of current literature concerning the validation of thoracic impedance cardiography (TIC) and to explain the variations in the reported results from the differences in the studies.

DATA SOURCES

A computer-assisted search of English-language, German, and Dutch literature was performed for the period January 1966 to April 1997. Moreover, references from review articles were obtained.

STUDY SELECTION

A total of 154 studies comparing measurements of cardiac output or related variables obtained from TIC and a reference method were analyzed.

DATA EXTRACTION

Articles were classified by differences in TIC methodology, reference method, and subject characteristics. Fisher's Zf transformed correlation coefficients were used to compare results. Data were pooled using the random-effects method.

DATA SYNTHESIS

An overall pooled r2 value of .67 (95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.71) was found. However, the correlation was higher in repeated-measurement designs than in single-measurement designs (r2 = .53; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-0.62). Further research using analysis of variance revealed a significant influence of the reference method and the subject characteristics on the correlation coefficient. The correlation was significantly better in animals than in cardiac patients. Subgroup analysis revealed that TIC correlated significantly better to the indirect Fick method than to echocardiography in healthy subjects. No significant influence of the applied TIC methodology was found.

DISCUSSION

The overall r2 value of .67 indicates that TIC might be useful for trend analysis of different groups of patients. However, for diagnostic interpretation, a r2 value of .53 might not meet the required accuracy of the study. Great care should be taken when TIC is applied to the cardiac patient. However, because the applied reference method was of significant influence, differences between TIC and the reference method are incorrectly attributed to errors in TIC alone.

Non-invasive cardiac output determination: state of the art

This review deals with recent developments in non-invasive cardiac output measurement. In the past few years significant progress has been made with semi-invasive transoesophageal echocardiography; the method now provides advanced facilities to measure cardiac output and other important characteristics of cardiac function. The method is, however, operator-dependent and the equipment used is expensive, which means that large-scale use on intensive care patients is not feasible. Whole-body impedance cardiography has recently shown good accuracy and flexibility in use, and seems to be the most promising method for the non-invasive measurement of cardiac output.

A meta-analysis of studies using bias and precision statistics to compare cardiac output measurement techniques

INTRODUCTION

Bias and precision statistics have succeeded regression analysis when measurement techniques are compared. However, when applied to cardiac output measurements, inconsistencies occur in reporting the results of this form of analysis.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was performed, dating from 1986. Studies comparing techniques of cardiac output measurement using bias and precision statistics were surveyed. An error-gram was constructed from the percentage errors in the test and reference methods and was used to determine acceptable limits of agreement between methods.

RESULTS

Twenty-five articles were found. Presentation of statistical data varied greatly. Four different statistical parameters were used to describe the agreement between measurements. The overall limits of agreement in studies evaluating bioimpedance (n = 23) was +/-37% (15-82%) and in those evaluating Doppler ultrasound (n = 11) +/-65% (25-225%). Objective criteria used to assess outcome were given in only 44% of the articles. These were (i) limits of agreement approaching +/-15-20%, (ii) limits of agreement of less than 1 L/min, and (iii) more than 75% of bias measurements within +/-20% of the mean. Graphically, we showed that limits of agreement of up to +/-30% were acceptable.

CONCLUSIONS

When using bias and precision statistics, cardiac output, bias, limits of agreement, and percentage error should be presented. Using current reference methods, acceptance of a new technique should rely on limits of agreement of up to +/-30%.

Thoracic Electrical Bioimpedance Versus Thermodilution in Patients Post Open-Heart Surgery

Thoracic electrical bioimpedance cardiography is a non-invasive, continuous and low-cost method of estimation of cardiac output and other haemodynamic parameters. Though subject to continuous technological refinement controversial opinions exist on its validity in subsets of critically ill patients, patients with heart disease or after cardiac surgery. A comparison study between thermodilution (TD) and bioimpedance (TEB) was performed in 28 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery (CABG, aortic or mitral valve replacement or combined procedures). 128 pairs of cardiac index estimates at specific time points during 20 hours at the postoperative ICU were evaluated. A poor correlation (r = 0.26, p<0.05, bias -0.07 l.min-1.m2, precision + 1.1 l.min-1.m-2, 95% limits of agreement -2.27 - 2.13 l.min-1.m-2) between TD and TEB cannot support the routine use of TEB monitoring in early postoperative period after open-heart surgery. Possible reasons of lack of agreement in this population are discussed. Further studies with technically improved bioimpedance cardiographs will be needed.

The influence of extravascular lung water on cardiac output measurements using thoracic impedance cardiography

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of pulmonary oedema as measured with the double indicator dilution technique on the accuracy of cardiac output (CO) measurement using thoracic impedance cardiography (TIC) compared with thermodilution in thirteen sepsis patients. Differences in the Kubicek and Sramek-Bernstein equation with respect to pulmonary oedema were explored theoretically and experimentally. From a parallel two cylinder model a hypothesis can be derived that CO determined with the Kubicek equation is oedema independent, whereas CO determined using the Sramek-Bernstein equation is oedema dependent. Experimentally, CO determined using Kubicek's equation correlated better with thermodilution CO (r = 0.75) than CO determined with the Sramek-Bernstein equation (r = 0.25). The effect of oedema on the accuracy of TIC was investigated by comparing the differences in the CO of impedance and thermodilution to the extravascular lung water index. For the Kubicek equation the difference was not influenced by oedema (r = 0.04, p = 0.84), whereas for the Sramek-Bernstein equation the difference was affected by oedema (r = 0.39, p = 0.05). Thus, the effects of pulmonary oedema on the accuracy of TIC measurements can better be understood with the parallel cylinder model. Moreover, the Kubicek equation still holds when pulmonary oedema is present, in contrast to the Sramek-Bernstein equation.

Determination of cardiac output during mechanical ventilation by electrical bioimpedance or thermodilution in patients with acute lung injury: effects of positive end-expiratory pressure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of transthoracic electrical bioimpedance in sedated and paralyzed patients with acute lung injury during mechanical ventilation with and without early application of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).

DESIGN

Prospective, repeated-measures study.

SETTING

University-affiliated intensive care center.

PATIENTS

Ten patients with acute lung injury.

INTERVENTIONS

Simultaneous, three-paired cardiac output (CO) measurements by transthoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) and thermodilution (TD) were made at 0 and 15 cm H2O of PEEP.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The average of the TD-CO measurements was 7.22 +/- 2.12 (SD) L/min during 0 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP), and 6.91 +/- 1.72 L/min during PEEP (NS). The average of the TEB-CO measurements was 4.48 +/- 1.37 L/min during ZEEP, and 6.03 +/- 2.03 L/min during PEEP (p < .05). For each level of PEEP, bias and precision between methods were calculated. Bias calculations between TD-CO and TEB-CO ranged from -1.54 +/- 7.02 L/min at ZEEP to -2.52 +/- 4.28 L/ min at PEEP, and -2.47 +/- 6.09 L/min for mixed data at ZEEP and PEEP. There was no significant correlation between the percent change with PEEP in TEB-CO and TD-CO (r2 =.05, NS).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute lung injury: a) the agreement between TEB-CO and TD-CO measurements is poor; b) agreement is not clinically improved by application of PEEP; and c) TEB cannot monitor trends in CO.

Impedance cardiography. The impact of new technology

The 1990s have witnessed major advances in impedance cardiography technology. Problems existed with the methods used to calculate cardiac output. Excessive lung fluid, as often found in critically ill patients, may also invalidate measurements. The signal processing and measurement techniques used in older systems were deficient. The newer systems, of which there are at least six, incorporate novel and improved signal processing techniques. They also offer analog visual displays, personal computer interfacing, sophisticated analytical software and haemodynamic patient management systems. Evaluation of these systems is difficult because no true 'gold standard' method of cardiac output measurement exists. When compared with thermodilution techniques, limits of agreement of +/- 20-30% seem acceptable. These limits can be achieved in normal subjects but not in critically ill patients. Validation data are available for only half of the new systems. Until recently, the main application for impedance cardiography has been research but improved accuracy should lead to increased clinical usage.

Non-invasive measurement of cardiac output during coronary artery bypass grafting

OBJECTIVE

A new device, using whole body bioresistance measurements and a new equation for calculating stroke volume has been developed. Using this equation, an attempt was made to correlate whole body bioresistance cardiac output with thermodilution cardiac output in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

Thirty-one adults undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were studied prospectively. Simultaneous paired cardiac output measurements by whole body bioresistance and thermodilution were made at five time points during coronary artery bypass grafting: in anesthetized patients before incision (T1), after sternotomy (T2), after opening the pericardium (T3), ten min post bypass (T4), and in the intensive care unit (T5). The patients had a mean of three thermodilution cardiac outputs compared with a mean of three bioimpedance measurements at each time point. The bias and precision between the methods were calculated.

RESULTS

There was good correlation between bioresistance cardiac output (nCO) and thermodilution cardiac output (ThCO) measurements in both groups for all recorded times. The patients' mean ThCO and nCO, as well as bias and precision between methods were calculated. Mean ThCO ranged between 4.14 and 5.06 l/min; mean nCO ranged between 4.12 and 4.97 l/ min. Bias calculations ranged between -0.072 and 0.104 l/min. Precision (2 SD) calculations ranged between 0.873 and 1.228 l/min for 95% confidence intervals. Pearson's correlation ranged from 0.919 to 0.938.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac output measured with the new device correlates well with the thermodilution measurements of cardiac output during and immediately following coronary artery bypass grafting. The overall agreement between the two methods was good. The new device is an accurate non-invasive method of measuring cardiac output during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Comparison of impedance cardiography and dye dilution method for measuring cardiac output

OBJECTIVE

To assess the degree of agreement between impedance cardiography, using the NCCOM3-R7 device, and the gold standard--the dye dilution method--both under basal conditions and after stimulation of cardiac output.

PATIENTS

35 paired measurements in five healthy male volunteers.

INTERVENTIONS

To obtain higher levels of cardiac output, cardiac performance was stimulated with a dopamine infusion.

RESULTS

In 35 paired measurements, the mean of all the impedance values was higher than that of the dye dilution values, at 10.2 v 7.4 l/min (p < 0.0001). The mean discrepancy between the two methods was 3.3 l/min, and the mean bias -2.9 l/min, with limits of agreement of -9.0 and 3.2 l/min. A change in cardiac output could not adequately be predicted by the NCCOM3-R7. In 20 of 25 measurements obtained during continuous intravenous dopamine infusions there was a rise in dye dilution cardiac output (range 0.2 to 5.9 l/min). Neither the magnitude nor the direction of the change in dye dilution values corresponded with the change measured by impedance cardiography. The mean discrepancy here between the two methods was 1.8 l/min, and the mean bias -0.8 l/min, with limits of agreement of -4.9 and 3.3 l/min.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy volunteers, impedance cardiography with NCCOM3-R7 is inadequate for assessing cardiac output when compared with the dye dilution method.

A comparison of hemodynamic parameters derived from transthoracic electrical bioimpedance with those parameters obtained by thermodilution and ventricular angiography

OBJECTIVE

To determine the limits of agreement between the cardiac output and volumetric data estimated by impedance cardiography with the cardiac output determined by thermodilution and the left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume estimated from left ventriculography.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

The cardiac catheterization laboratory of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Twenty-four patients with coronary artery disease undergoing elective left- and right heart catheterization.

INTERVENTIONS

Cardiac output was measured by the thermodilution method and the ejection fraction and left ventricular volumetric data were determined by ventriculography. These same measurements were obtained by simultaneously performed impedance cardiography using a commercially available bioimpedance device.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The patients' mean cardiac output was 4.6 +/- 1.7 L/min by bioimpedance and 5.0 +/- 1.1 L/min by thermodilution. The limits of agreement between the two methods was -4.1 to 3.5 L/min. The 95% confidence intervals for the lower and upper limits of agreement were -2.7 to -5.5 L/min and 2.1 to 4.9 L/min, respectively. The mean ejection fraction was 63 +/- 8% by bioimpedance and 53 +/- 15% by ventriculography. The limits of agreement between the ejection fraction estimated by bioimpedance and ventriculography was -35% to 37%. The 95% confidence intervals for the lower and upper limits of agreement were -22% to -48% and 24% to 50%, respectively. The mean left ventricular end-diastolic volume was 108 +/- 47 mL, as estimated by bioimpedance, and 121 +/- 35 mL, as estimated by ventriculography. The limits of agreement between the left ventricular end-diastolic volume as estimated by bioimpedance and ventriculography was -139 to 113 mL. The 95% confidence intervals for the lower and upper limits of agreement were -184 to -94 mL and 68 to 158 mL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 95% confidence range defining the limits of agreement between cardiac output and volumetric data estimated by bioimpedance, with the cardiac output measurement by thermodilution and the volumetric data estimated from left ventriculography, were wide, making the degree of agreement clinically unacceptable. In the opinion of the authors, impedance cardiography should not replace invasive hemodynamic monitoring at this time.

Impedance cardiography in cardiac surgery patients: abnormal body weight gives unreliable cardiac output measurements

BACKGROUND

To study the accuracy of cardiac output measurement by means of Electrical Impedance Cardiography (EIC) in post-cardiac surgery patients.

METHODS

In a prospective study, we compared cardiac output measurements by means of thermodilution (COTD) with impedance cardiographic-derived values (COEIC) in 37 mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery. Both methods were used simultaneously.

RESULTS

COEIC values were weakly correlated with COTD in the total group when the equation of Sramek-Bernstein was employed to calculate COEIC (r = 0.60, P < 0.001, mean difference and standard deviation: -0.06 +/- 1.25 l.min-1). After exclusion of the 12 patients whose body weight differed > 15% from their ideal body weight, no significant difference was found between the mean values (5.40 +/- 1.80 l.min-1 (COEIC) vs 5.31 +/- 1.69 l.min-1, n = 25) while the correlation coefficient increased substantially (r = 0.85, P < 0.001, mean difference and standard deviation: 0.09 +/- 0.96 l.min-1).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that weight is a very important factor in unreliable measurement of CO by impedance cardiography in cardiac surgery patients. The calculation equation as proposed by Sramek and Bernstein is not accurate enough in patients with more than 15% of weight deviation. Therefore, the use of impedance cardiography in these patients is of limited value until an accurate correction factor has been developed.

The intra- and interobserver variability of impedance cardiography in patients at rest and during exercise

We studied the intra- and interobserver variability in the calculation of stroke volume by the impedance technique, using the recently proposed refinements in the electrode configuration and signal processing. Three groups of patients were included in this study: ten stable cardiac patients who underwent a diagnostic heart catheterization, ten patients 24-26 h after coronary artery bypass surgery and ten patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The first two groups were studied at rest and the COPD group during submaximal exercise. The intra-observer variability was 4.2%, 3.9-4.0% and 6.0-6.9% for the catheterized, surgical and COPD groups, respectively. The interobserver variability was 4.3%, 2.6% and 2.4%, respectively. It is concluded that highly reproducible data can be obtained with the newly proposed impedance technique in patients at rest and exercise which may be comparable or superior to other techniques used in clinical settings.

The influence of weight on stroke volume determination by means of impedance cardiography in cardiac surgery patients

OBJECTIVES

Obesity is thought to be one of the conditions in which the impedance cardiographic method is less reliable for estimating stroke volume (SV). This led to the introduction of a weight correction factor, sigma, into the equation according to Sramek and Bernstein. However, no scientific evidence has been published to support the use of this factor. The objectives of the present study are to evaluate the influence of body weight on the accuracy of impedance cardiography and to validate Bernstein's weight correction factor by comparison with thermodilution in patients after coronary bypass surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

SETTING

A surgical intensive care unit in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

37 consecutive patients 24-36 h after coronary bypass surgery, sub-divided into a normal-weight group (n = 24), patients whose weight deviated less than 15% from their ideal weight, and an obese group (n = 13), patients whose weight deviated more than 15% from their ideal weight.

MEASUREMENTS

Kubicek's impedance cardiographic method and Sramek and Bernstein's method to assess SV are applied and compared to thermodilution. In order to study the validity of sigma, the results are compared between 24 patients with normal weight and 13 obese patients.

RESULTS

A significant correlation between miscalculation of SV by impedance cardiography and the degree of obesity for Sramek and Bernstein's method is found when sigma is not included in the equation (r = -0.55, p < 0.05). This relation, however, remained significant when sigma was included in the equation (r = -0.40, p < 0.05). Kubicek's method shows no significant correlation for this relation (r = -0.30). Besides this, Sramek and Bernstein's method underestimates SV significantly in the obese group, independent of the use of sigma in the equation. These results are explained as being intrinsic to the equation, according to Sramek and Bernstein. In the whole group the impedance-derived SV did not significantly differ from SV as measured by means of thermodilution, independent of the method used to calculate SV. However, a considerably better correlation and agreement (mean difference +/- 2 standard deviations is found when Kubicek's method is applied (r = 0.90, 0.5 +/- 17.1 ml vs 0.64, -4.9 +/- 31.8 ml for Sramek and Bernstein's method).

CONCLUSIONS

Weight significantly influences Sramek and Bernstein's method of impedance cardiography, whereas Kubicek's method is not biased by this factor.

Abdominal surgery alters the calibration of bioimpedance cardiac output measurement

The performance of impedance cardiography (TEBco), using the BoMed NCCOM3-R7S, and thermodilution (TDco) were compared in eight patients during major abdominal surgery. An opioid, volatile and relaxant anaesthetic technique was employed. This was supplemented with an epidural in five cases. Sets of three cardiac output readings, for both methods, were made at 10-20 min intervals throughout surgery. Data were compared using the Bland and Altman method, regression analysis and a nested model to measure variance components at different stages of surgery. Data from 157 sets of readings are presented. Agreement between the two devices was poor, with a ratio of TDco/TEBco of 115% and limits of agreement of 51-193%. The regression line was TDco = (0.98) x TEBco-0.95 with r = 0.60. A more detailed analysis, using nested data, showed good repeatability with coefficients of variation of 5.4% for TDco and 4.8% for TEBco. During surgery shifts in the bias between the two devices occurred, which were related to changes in surgical conditions. Between shifts both devices showed good repeatability over time. Variance components were 0.27 within nested data and 0.082 between bias shifts, with a significantly greater overall component of 1.2 (ANOVA; P = 0.0001). Shifts could be explained by deficiencies in the algorithm used to calculate TEBco. Current TEBco technology is too inaccurate for intra-operative use. However, under stable operating conditions TEBco and TDco showed good repeatability.

Evaluation of impedance cardiography: comparison of NCCOM3-R7 with Fick and thermodilution methods

OBJECTIVE

To assess the degree of error of the BoMed NCCOM3 model revision seven (R7) impedance cardiograph in determining stroke volume and estimated cardiac output.

DESIGN

Three-group, within-subject, repeated measures design.

SAMPLE

Group 1: patients (n = 17) with heart disease undergoing an elective coronary angiogram; group 2: patients (n = 28) after elective heart surgery; and group 3: healthy volunteers (n = 28).

MEASUREMENT

Cardiac output was determined by the BoMed NCCOM3-R7 impedance cardiograph, Fick principle, and thermodilution method. The NCCOM3-R7 was compared with the direct Fick and thermodilution methods in groups 1 and 2, respectively, to estimate validity coefficients. In group 3, repeated measures were obtained with the NCCOM3-R7 to calculate reliability coefficients.

RESULTS

The NCCOM3-R7 underestimated Fick measurements by 1.050 +/- 1.529 L/min at rest and 1.505 +/- 2.214 L/min during exercise. Correlation coefficients of 0.684 at rest (p = 0.001) and 0.219 during exercise (p = 0.248) were obtained. The NCCOM3-R7 underestimated thermodilution values by 0.425 +/- 1.325 L/min in subjects initially after heart surgery and 0.358 +/- 1.235 L/min 2 to 4 hours later. Correlation coefficients of 0.547 (p = 0.002) and 0.505 (p = 0.004) were obtained for the two time periods, respectively. A reliability coefficient of 0.837 was calculated with healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

The NCCOM3-R7 has a clinically unacceptable level of error for evaluating cardiac performance in patients with heart disease.

A review of impedance cardiography

OBJECTIVE

To review the reliability and validity estimates of impedance cardiography to assess its empirical precision and clinical usefulness.

DATA SOURCE

Empirical and theoretical literature mainly within the last 10 years.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Descriptive statistics used to summarize the accuracy and use of impedance cardiography to estimate stroke volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimation of cardiac output is presently a core component of optimizing cardiac function in many patient populations. Impedance cardiography, which initially used a formula developed by Kubicek et al. and recently a formula developed by Sramek and Bernstein, remains controversial with regard to its accuracy and use in research and clinical practice.