[Non-invasive cardiac output measurement with USCOM in air rescue operation].

In cardiac emergency events (NACA score = 3.4), a non-invasive cardiac output test involving transaortalic blood flow velocity measurement was used in the air rescue of 30 patients. An average velocity integral (Vti) of 21.9 +/- 9.9 cm was determined in the short examination time (t = 120 +/- 30 sec). Related to the middle body surface (BSA = 2.0 +/- 0.3 m (2)), the calculated cardiac index (CI) was 2.6 +/- 1.1 l/min/m (2). The CI was under 2.2 l/min/m (2) in 12 examinations (40 %). 5 patients in this group subsequently received catecholamine therapy. Thrombolysis therapy increased by 17 % in the myocardial infarction group with CI </= 2.2 l/min/m (2) by the USCOM measurement. However, the results do not justify a definitive recommendation for application of the USCOM system in air rescue service.