Lithium Dilution Cardiac Output Monitoring
The lithium dilution technique
is another cardiac output monitoring method that derives its fundamental basis from
indicator dilution principles.[777]
[778]
[779]
In brief, after an intravenous bolus injection
of a small dose of lithium chloride, an ion-selective electrode attached to a peripheral
arterial catheter measures the lithium dilution curve, from which cardiac output
is derived. Preliminary investigations suggest that this technique is accurate when
compared with standard thermodilution methods or electromagnetic flowmetry.[780]
[781]
As originally described, the technique required
a central venous catheter for lithium injection, but recent studies indicate comparable
accuracy with peripheral intravenous bolus administration of the lithium indicator.
[782]
[783]
[784]
Thus, the technique
seems to provide a method for accurate measurement of cardiac output in a wide variety
of critically ill patients who have only peripheral intravenous and arterial catheters.
