FloTrac
OVERVIEW
- FloTrac™ cardiac output monitor that uses pulse contour analysis
- made by Edwards
USE
- Minimally invasive cardiac output monitoring
DESCRIPTION
- specialised sensor
- attaches to an already inserted radial arterial line
- pressure readings from the arterial line used to calculate the cardiac output (CO) and other derived parameters
- uses pulse contour analysis based on the manufacturer’s patented algorithms
METHOD OF USE
- connected to the arterial line using a standard pressure transducer
- no calibration needed
- connected to a Vigileo™ monitor
Parameters
- Cardiac output/ index CO/CI
- Stroke volume SV/SVI
- Systemic vascular resistance SVR/SVRI
- Stroke volume variation SVV
COMPLICATIONS
- usual complications of arterial cannulation
- Incorrect management due to inaccurate results caused by poor system set-up
OTHER INFORMATION
- an example of a device that has become increasingly popular with the decline of invasive PAC monitoring
- accuracy of this device remains controversial especially in the presence of extreme vasodilatation with hyperdynamic circulation, hepatic cirrhosis, aortic regurgitation, and IABP counterpulsation
References and Links
- Compton FD, Zukunft B, Hoffmann C, Zidek W, Schaefer JH. Performance of a minimally invasive uncalibrated cardiac output monitoring system (Flotrac/Vigileo) in haemodynamically unstable patients. Br J Anaesth. 2008 Apr;100(4):451-6. PMID: 18256056.
- Mayer J, Boldt J, Poland R, Peterson A, Manecke GR Jr. Continuous arterial pressure waveform-based cardiac output using the FloTrac/Vigileo: a review and meta-analysis. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2009 Jun;23(3):401-6. PMID: 19464625.
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
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