# Electrochemical approach for reliable cardiac output measurements

> **NIH NIH R03** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2020 · $71,175

## Abstract

We propose to study and develop a new method for in vivo cardiac output (CO) monitoring that has the potential
to be significantly more reliable compared to current standard. CO monitoring is important in critically ill patients
and for those undergoing cardiac procedures. Accuracy and precision in measurement will mean the difference
between life and death for these patients. The thermodilution method, the current standard of practice, has been
shown to have poor reliability and repeatability mainly attributed to the need to measure small changes in
temperature that is affected by many confounding factors. The method we propose leverages time transient
electrochemical behavior of an injectate or redox active tracer molecule that is injected or generated on-demand
directly into the blood stream. The principle is that a small voltage applied to specific liquids injected into blood
can cause charge transfer or charge redistribution that release a measurable current. That electrochemical
signature will be diluted by flowing blood. But how quickly the dilution occurs would depend on blood flow rate.
Thus, the dilution response may be used to recover blood flow rate by calibration. This electrodilution method
avoids the use of temperature and its associated sources of error and hence holds the potential to be significantly
more reliable. Our overall aim is to test our hypothesis that the accuracy and precision in recovering the flow rate
of physiological fluid will be better using our novel electrodilution method compared to the traditional
thermodilution method. Specific aim #1 is to develop an electrodilution method using saline injectate which is
operationally identical to the current thermodilution technique. We will build a prototype catheter, optimize
design characteristics and test our hypothesis. In specific aim #2, we will explore a novel transformative idea that
is even more operator independent by eliminating the need for injection. Here, a biocompatible redox active tracer
molecule will be generated on-demand directly into the blood stream whose dilution may be tracked for
recovering blood flow rate. We seek to study its proof of concept. If shown to work, this second method of
electrodilution has the potential to be significantly more reliable and may be performed using a much smaller
catheter, making these measurements less invasive and hence feasible even in pediatric patients. This small grant
R03 level 2-year effort is by an investigative team of bioengineers and anesthesiologists.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9939590
- **Project number:** 5R03EB027299-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Syed Mubeen
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $71,175
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9939590

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9939590, Electrochemical approach for reliable cardiac output measurements (5R03EB027299-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9939590. Licensed CC0.

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