Correlation between esCCO and transthoracic echocardiography in critically ill patients

[Validation during exercise of a new device for cardiac output measurement using pulse wave transit time (comparison EsCCO(®) vs. Physioflow(®))]

OBJECTIVES

EsCCO is a novel non-invasive continuous cardiac output monitoring system based on pulse wave transit time already validated at rest. The aim of our study was to compare cardiac output measurements obtained simultaneously by EsCCO(®) (Q˙cOP) and impedance cardiography (Physioflow(®) ; Q˙cIMP), in healthy subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eight healthy subjects (age: 31±9 years, weight: 76±10kg, height: 179±5cm) realized two exercise tests: an incremental ergocycle test performed until exertion (Pmax=269±48W) and a constant load exercise (P=163±27W). Comparison between measurements (Q˙cOP versus Q˙cIMP) obtained during the first test allowed to evaluate the accuracy of the device. Reliability was determined on three repeated measures during the second test, realized at ventilatory threshold.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficient between both methods is 0.88 (P<0.01). Mean difference is 0.04±1.49L/min (95 % limits of agreement: +2.94 to -3.00L/min) and only 3/74 measures are not included between the limits of agreement. At high intensity and for cardiac output over than 15 L/min, Q˙cOP signal is lost in almost half the time. Concerning reliability, reproducibility coefficient is 0.87 (P<0.05), only 1.8 % of this variability is due to the method.

CONCLUSION

EsCCO(®) measurements are accurate, reliable and allow a good estimation of cardiac output on healthy subjects. The signal lost observed for high cardiac output levels (>15L/min) can limit its utilization during very high intensity exercise.

Pulse Wave Transit Time Measurements of Cardiac Output in Septic Shock Patients: A Comparison of the Estimated Continuous Cardiac Output System with Transthoracic Echocardiography

Background

We determined reliability of cardiac output (CO) measured by pulse wave transit time cardiac output system (esCCO system; CO_esCCO) vs transthoracic echocardiography (CO_TTE) in mechanically ventilated patients in the early phase of septic shock. A secondary objective was to assess ability of esCCO to detect change in CO after fluid infusion.

Methods

Mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU, aged >18 years, in sinus rhythm, in the early phase of septic shock were prospectively included. We performed fluid infusion of 500ml of crystalloid solution over 20 minutes and recorded CO by EsCCO and TTE immediately before (T0) and 5 minutes after (T1) fluid administration. Patients were divided into 2 groups (responders and non-responders) according to a threshold of 15% increase in CO_TTE in response to volume expansion.

Results

In total, 25 patients were included, average 64±15 years, 15 (60%) were men. Average SAPSII and SOFA scores were 55±21.3 and 13±2, respectively. ICU mortality was 36%. Mean cardiac output at T0 was 5.8±1.35 L/min by esCCO and 5.27±1.17 L/min by CO_TTE. At T1, respective values were 6.63 ± 1.57 L/min for esCCO and 6.10±1.29 L/min for CO_TTE. Overall, 12 patients were classified as responders, 13 as non-responders by the reference method. A threshold of 11% increase in CO_esCCO was found to discriminate responders from non-responders with a sensitivity of 83% (95% CI, 0.52-0.98) and a specificity of 77% (95% CI, 0.46-0.95).

Conclusion

We show strong correlation esCCO and echocardiography for measuring CO, and change in CO after fluid infusion in ICU patients.