Cardiac output
Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːrdiæk ˈaʊtpʊt/) is the volume of blood that is ejected by the heart from the left ventricle per minute. It is a key indicator of the heart's function and health.
Etymology
The term "cardiac output" is derived from the Latin cardia, meaning "heart", and the English output, meaning "production". It was first used in medical literature in the early 20th century.
Definition
Cardiac output is calculated as the product of stroke volume (the amount of blood ejected by the heart in one heartbeat) and heart rate (the number of heartbeats per minute). It is usually expressed in liters per minute (L/min).
Factors Affecting Cardiac Output
Several factors can affect cardiac output, including:
- Preload: The volume of blood in the ventricles at the end of diastole.
- Afterload: The resistance that the heart must overcome to eject blood.
- Contractility: The inherent vigor of contraction of the heart muscles.
- Heart rate: The number of heartbeats per minute.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cardiac output
- Wikipedia's article - Cardiac output
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