Preliminary pulsatile flow bench validation of a thermodilution right ventricular ejection fraction system.

A preliminary Pulsatile Flow Bench validation of the REF-1 Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction (RVEF) computer and catheter system was performed to determine the accuracy of the current REF-1 system. These results reflect the accuracy of the current REF-1 system and not the final REF-1 system that will be released at a later date. The Pulsatile Flow Bench cardiac output and ejection fraction ranges included in this study are 1 to 6 Lpm and 15% to 60%, respectively. Currently, plans are being made to increase the flow bench cardiac output range to 10 Lpm with ejection fractions up to 70%. The results of this study show a correlation coefficient of 0.94 (adjusted R-square) between flow bench ejection fractions and REF-1 system ejection fractions. Also, the correlation coefficient between flow bench cardiac output and REF-1 system cardiac output was determined to be 0.99 (adjusted R-square).