Transcutaneous method of measuring Doppler cardiac output--I. Comparison of transcutaneous and juxta-aortic Doppler velocity signals with catheter and cuff electromagnetic flowmeter measurements in closed and open chest dogs.

Cardiac output values obtained by thermodilution technique in 20 closed and open chest dogs were compared with values obtained by multiplying the integral of Doppler systolic velocity signals of aortic flow in 1 minute by the cross-sectional area of the aortic root. Doppler velocity signals were measured either from immediately outside the proximal aortic wall or from outside the chest wall during (1) the baseline state, (2) after 500 ml of hemorrhage, and (3) after reinfusion, (4) after administration of propranolol, and (5) during infusion of dopamine. In addition, Doppler "stroke volume" waveforms were compared with those obtained by electromagnetic flowmeter. Results showed a close similarity between Doppler signals and electromagnetic waveforms, and a close correlatin between Doppler and thermodilution values for cardiac output except at heart rates exceeding 160 beats/min. The studies showed the transcutaneous Doppler method of measuring cardiac output to be an accurate and reliable technique with application to clinical heart disease.