A preliminary investigation on the use of thermodilution and echocardiography as an assessment of cardiac function in the cat.

A technique for the determination of cardiac output in the cat by the thermal dilution method is described. The values of cardiac output assessed by thermal dilution and the values of left ventricular function assessed echocardiographically are compared. Values of cardiac output obtained by thermal dilution compare favourably with values obtained by other investigators by indicator dye dilution, the Fick method and electromagnetic flowmeter technique. The technique of thermal dilution in the cat was consistent and simple to perform. The calculation of ventricular volumes and cardiac output echocardiographically using formulae suggested in man was unsuccessful. Such formulae based on assumptions of cardiac shape and contractility do not appear valid in the cat. Statistical analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the cardiac output determined by thermodilution and the left ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions determined echocardiographically. A positive correlation was also shown between the cardiac output and the cardiac index, the left ventricular diastolic dimension and the left ventricular systolic dimension and the percent change in minor diameter and the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening. A negative correlation existed between the left ventricular systolic dimension and the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening and the ejection time and the velocity of circumferential fibre shortening.