Microcomputer-assisted monitoring system for measuring and processing cardiorespiratory variables: preliminary results of clinical trials.

A microcomputer-assisted monitoring system was developed for the continuous measuring and processing of cardiorespiratory variables, including: systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, CVP, minute ventilation, inspired and expired O2 and CO2 concentrations, temperature, and heart rate. The primary data were converted to digital form, processed, displayed on a CRT monitor, and also stored for later evaluation. This system automatically calculated and displayed on-line and in real-time both primary measurements and derived cardiorespiratory variables, including: oxygen consumption, CO2 production, left and right ventricular stroke work, pulmonary venous admixture, and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances.