Cardiac Output

Cardiac Output

1. Heart Rate

   • Infants and small children compensate for low cardiac output by increasing their heart rates.

2. Stroke Volume

   • Preload
     • Preload is basically the amount of fluid (BLOOD) available in the heart for pumping. The volume can be estimated by inserting a pressure monitor (CVP) in the right atrium in the ICU setting.
   • Afterload
     • Afterload: think of RESISTANCE... The heart is less effective if there's too much pressure in the body or the lungs.
   • Contractility
     • Contractility refers to how strong the cardiac muscle contracts. Infants and small children do not have enough muscle mass to pump harder, so if their heart rate drops, their cardiac output drops!•

Images and files in the map