Decreased Cardiac Output

The medical condition, decreased cardiac output is the result of many different causes and is exhibited in the form of various symptoms. Decreased cardiac output related to hypertension, aging and other causes is discussed in the following article. The nursing diagnosis of decreased cardiac output discusses the pathophysiology, the causes and also the treatment or care plan for this medical condition.

What is Cardiac Output?

It is the volume/amount of blood that is pumped by the heart (ventricle) in a single minute. The unit which is used to measure the cardiac output is dm³/min. The average rate of cardiac output for men and women is 5 dm/min. and 4.5 dm/min. respectively.

Decreased Cardiac Output

The medical condition, decreased cardiac output, is the reduction in outflow of blood from the ventricles of the heart. There could be a variety of different reasons behind the decrease in the cardiac output.

Decreased Cardiac Output Causes:
The common causes/reasons behind this medical condition are hypertension, myocardial infarction, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary disease, cardiomyopathy, fluid overload, drug effects, electrolyte imbalance and decreased fluid volume. Geriatric patients are at a high risk of suffering from decrease cardiac output due to the reduced compliance of ventricles which results from aging.

Decreased Cardiac Output Symptoms:
The symptoms of this medical conditions could be electrocardiogram changes, arrhythimias, variations in haemodynamic parameters, tachypnea, orthopnea, dyspnea, frothy sputum, abnormal arterial blood gases, edema, weight gain, decreased urine output, dizziness, syncope, restlessness, anxiety, fatigue, weakness, cold clammy skin, decreased peripheral pulses, change in mental status, confusion, pulsus alternans, angina, etc. Decreased cardiac output and blood pressure are interrelated, since the decrease in cardiac output results into low blood pressure.

Decreased Cardiac Output Treatment:
The medications for decreased cardiac output depend upon the etiological factors. However, the common medications used for the treatment are diuretics, digitalis therapy, vasodilator therapy, ACE inhibitors, antidysrhythmics and inotropic agents. Maintaining the optimum fluid balance is also a part of decreased cardiac output treatment. Administration of the prescribed fluids helps in increasing the extracellular fluid volume, thereby raising the cardiac output. It is also important to maintain the hemodynamic parameters. The patients with increased preload are recommended to restrict sodium and fluids, which helps in decreasing the extracellular fluid volume. Maintaining perfusion and ventilation is also an important part of the treatment. Placing the patient in a high-Fowler position helps in reducing the ventricular filling and preload. The patient should be placed in the supine position to promote diuresis and increase vanous return. Restricting the physical activities of the patient helps in reducing the oxygen demands of the body. A relaxed and quiet environment should be provided to the patient, since emotional stress might lead to increased cardiac demands. Stool softeners need to be given to the patient, because if the body is strained owing to the bowel movements, there is a possibility of further impairment in the cardiac output. The decreased cardiac output interventions or nursing interventions include hemodynamic regulation and cardiac care. Decreased cardiac output RT (Respiratory Therapy) is useful in increasing fluid volume and reducing bilateral ankle edema & clammy skin.

Read more on:

• Heart Disease
• Heart Health
• Cardiovascular Diseases

The medical condition, decreased cardiac output, is the result of many different health problems. Therefore The treatment of decreased cardiac output depends upon its exact cause. One may also find some of the common treatment measures in the article. Thus, a rough idea of the decreased cardiac output is given in the above article.