Measurement of stroke volume from pulmonary artery pressure record in man

Abstract

Stroke volume was determined from the pulmonary artery pressure record by application of the pulse contour method. Pulmonary artery pressure records were obtained in 17 patients using a high fidelity catheter tip pressure transducer and simultaneous measurements of cardiac output were obtained from indicator dilution curves. Stroke volume was altered by isometric handgrip exercise and/or pharmacological agents in 15 patients. Serial measurements were made in 2 patients in acute pulmonary oedema after myocardial infarction. Comparison of a wide range of values of stroke volume by the pulse contour method with those obtained from dye dilution curves showed a good correlation (r+0.97,P<0.001) regression line y=1.01x-0.47. Measurement of stroke volume from the pulmonary artery pressure contour is a technique of potential value in serial haemodynamic monitoring.