Theory and in vitro validation of a new extracorporeal arteriovenous loop approach for hemodynamic assessment in pediatric and neonatal intensive care unit patients.

Objectives: No simple method exists for repeatedly measuring cardiac output in intensive care pediatric and neonatal patients. The purpose of this study is to present the theory and examine the in vitro accuracy of a new ultrasound dilution cardiac output measurement technology in which an extracorporeal arteriovenous tubing loop is inserted between existing arterial and venous catheters.

Design: Laboratory experiments.