Hey Gregron
I just logged in, I am sorry I haven't been to Allnurses in a while. You have probably got help on this already.
I do not have reference off the top of my head, it is one I learned while a new nurse the CCU. I think it came from a Fast Facts Critical care pocket reference guide. You can probably google Fast Facts and find where you can get one. They have one for Critical care and one for ED.

The equation works and I know nurses today who use it. However, PA catheters are not utilized as much as they were when I was a new nurse so many years ago...

Anyhow, hope this helps. Please let know if you have other questions.

Congrats on graduating...Have you taken NCLEX yet? Good luck with it.

Jeff

Hey I saw your below equation the other day when I was searching for the one my nurse was using(I'm an extern, graduae in May!) and was wondering where you got it. I can't find a reference to it anywhere on the web


Here is an equation I learned...It is not as accurate as obtaining a true CO in cath lab with an oxygen consumption hood, but it is pretty close....

CO=kg x 3.3/Hgb x (Arterial sat - Venous sat) x 1.34 then multiply this number times 10 to move the decimal place.

You have to have paired gases...An ABG and VBG (from the PA port of the PA Cath), plus need current Hgb value and current weight....3.3 is a constant...1.34 is roughly the amount of oxygen that each Hgb molecule can carry in mls.....An example is below
CO = 85 x 3.3/15 x (98 - 75) x 1.34 =0.606
CO = 0.606 x 10 = 6.06 or 6.1 L/min
This is rough estimate of the CO to get the CI you just need to divide the CO by the BSA...Hope this helps....