[Assessment of the cardiac output by impedance cardiography (differential rheography) to give optimum continuous positive pressure ventilation (author's transl)].

It is very important to know the cardiac output in artificial positive pressure ventilation for the determination of the exact dosage of dopamine and the endexpiratory pressure. Invasive monitoring of the cardiac output is not suitable for routine bedside use. In our study we looked into the question of whether the dosage of dopamine in continuous positive pressure ventilation could be controlled by impedance determination. Differential rheography, as described by Kaindl, Polzer, and Schuhfried, was used in the study. Relative changes in cardiac output after dopamine administration are shown with sufficient accuracy using the above-mentioned method.