Correction factor for thermodilution determination of cardiac output in children.

The authors determined the correction factor (Ct) for three sizes of commonly available central venous catheters. These catheters are used as the injectate catheter when a 2.5 Fr transthoracic thermistor is used to determine cardiac output by thermodilution. The valves for Ct were highly reproducible. These determinations can be used conveniently in children to determine cardiac output by thermodilution.