From: Applications of minimally invasive cardiac output monitors
 | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
PAC | Â | Pulmonary infarction |
 | Measure CVP | Rupture of pulmonary artery |
 | Intermittent and continuous | Arrhythmias |
 | SVR can be obtained | Need right heart catheterization |
Pulse wave Analysis | ||
A. PICCO | Â | Â |
 | Intermittent and continuous | Need a central venous access |
 | Measures GEDV/EVLW |  |
 | Estimate preload |  |
B. LIDCO | Â | Â |
 | Intermittent and continuous | Cannot be used if patient on lithium or NDM |
 | SVR can be obtained | Need frequent blood drawing |
 |  | Does not estimate preload |
C. Flo-trac | SVR can be obtained | Not reliable in very high CO state |
 | Measure PPV/SVV | Perform poorly with tachyarrhythmia |
 | Many validation studies | Valvular pathology prevents accurate reading of CO |
Esophageal Doppler | Less invasive | Needs intubated patient |
 | Simple to use | Only measure descending aortic flow |
 |  | Not good in AR |
Echocardiography | Provides detailed cardiac information | Needs additional training |
 | Estimate preload | Inability to image patient |
Bioreactance | Non-invasive | Numerous mathematical assumptions |
 | Continuous | Signal stability fails after 24 h |
 | Sensors can be placed anywhere in thorax and back |  |
Bioimpedence | Continuous | Numerous mathematical assumptions |
 | Difficult to set up | Signal stability fails after 24 h |
Flick's Principle | Easy set up | Not suitable for unstable patient |
 | Provides additional ventilatory parameters | Shunt can affect CO estimation |