A 60-year-old man on ICU is being monitored with a FloTrac/Vigileo cardiac output device connected to his radial arterial line. The system calculates ...

Question

A 60-year-old man on ICU is being monitored with a FloTrac/Vigileo cardiac output device connected to his radial arterial line. The system calculates cardiac output from arterial waveform analysis. In which clinical scenario is this device LEAST reliable?

Accepted Answer

Severe vasoplegia with very low SVR (e.g. septic shock requiring high-dose vasopressors), where rapid changes in arterial compliance make uncalibrated pulse contour analysis unreliable

Answer

Stable sinus rhythm with adequate peripheral perfusion

Answer

Post-operative monitoring in a stable cardiac surgery patient

Answer

Controlled mechanical ventilation

Answer

Normal body temperature

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Cardiac Output Monitoring Limitations

A 60-year-old man on ICU is being monitored with a FloTrac/Vigileo cardiac output device connected to his radial arterial line. The system calculates cardiac output from arterial waveform analysis. In which clinical scenario is this device LEAST reliable?