CARDIAC OUTPUT
Cardiac output is a measurement of the percentage of blood volume pumped out of the left ventricle during systole often referred to as Ejection fraction.
Systole is the portion of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles empty forcing blood to the lungs and out to the extremities. Approximately 18% of the oxygen rich arterial blood pumped from the left ventricle regurgitates into the coronary arteries during diastole. Diastole is the portion of the cardiac cycle when the heart is a rest and the atriums fill with blood.
During EECP Therapy an increase in venous blood return effects cardiac output by increasing preload volume, causing the top and bottom chambers of the heart to distend, resulting in a more forcible contraction, a greater cardiac output, and decreased heart rate. This is especially helpful in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or congestive heart failure. The percentage of oxygen rich arterial blood regurgitating into the coronary arteries during EECP Therapy can increase by up to 40%.