Evaluation of the pulse contour method in beat-to-beat determination of the cardiac output in small laboratory animals.

The pulse contour method was used for determining beat-to-beat stroke volume in small laboratory animals. A good correlation was found between stroke volume values determined by the pulse contour method and figures obtained by dye dilution. The pressure volume proportionality factor KA from Bourgeois' formula for the pulse contour determination of stroke volume was less stable under changing haemodynamic conditions compared with the results of other authors obtained from larger laboratory animals.