The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters in children measured using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor.

OBJECTIVE: The Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor is a noninvasive method of hemodynamic assessment and monitoring in critically ill patients. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in children for this device. This study aimed to establish normal ranges for cardiovascular indices measured using Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor in children aged 0-12 yrs old and to assess interobserver reliability. DESIGN: This was a population-based cross-sectional observational study. SETTING: Schools and kindergartens in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS: Chinese children aged up to 12 yrs old. INTERVENTIONS: Two operators performed Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor scans on each child together with standard oscillometric measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. Software intrinsic to the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor device produces values for stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. For each parameter, normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. Interobserver reliability was assessed with Bland-Altman plots, coefficients of variation, and intraclass correlation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 1,197 Chinese children (55% boys) were scanned. Normal ranges of values for cardiac output, stroke volume, and systemic vascular resistance indices are presented. Interobserver reliability for Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor was superior to that for standard blood pressure and heart rate measurement. CONCLUSIONS: This large study presents normal values for cardiovascular indices in children using the Ultrasonic Cardiac Output Monitor with good interobserver reliability.

The normal ranges of cardiovascular parameters measured using the ultrasonic cardiac output monitor.

The ultrasonic cardiac output monitor (USCOM) is a noninvasive transcutaneous continuous wave Doppler method for assessing hemodynamics. There are no published reference ranges for normal values in adults (aged 18-60 years) for this device. This study aimed to (1) measure cardiovascular indices using USCOM in healthy adults aged 18-60 years; (2) combine these data with those for healthy children (aged 0-12), adolescents (aged 12-18), and the elderly (aged over 60) from our previously published studies in order to present normal ranges for all ages, and (3) establish normal ranges of USCOM-derived variables according to both weight and age. This was a population-based cross-sectional observational study of healthy Chinese subjects aged 0.5-89 years in Hong Kong. USCOM scans were performed on all subjects, to produce measurements including stroke volume, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance. Data from previously published studies (children, adolescents, and the elderly) were included. Normal ranges were defined as lying between the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. A total of 2218 subjects were studied (mean age = 16.4, range = 0.5-89; 52% male). From previous studies, 1197 children (aged 0-12, 55% male), 590 adolescents (aged 12-18, 49% male), and 77 elderly (aged 60-89, 55% male) were included. New data were collected from 354 adults aged 18-60 (47% male). Normal ranges are presented according to age and weight. We present comprehensive normal ranges for hemodynamic parameters obtained with USCOM in healthy subjects of all ages from infancy to the elderly.