Stroke Volume and Cardiac Output

The amount of blood pumped over a unit of time is the cardiac output. These can be divided to by the body surface area (BSA) which approximates blood volume and body size, thus allowing an index that can be used to compare individual patients.

stroke volume =

=  ((end diastolic volume) - (end systolic volume))

stroke volume index =

= (stroke volume) / (body surface area)

ejection fraction =

= ((stroke volume) * (100%)) / (end diastolic volume)

= ((end diastolic volume) - (end systolic volume)) * (100%)) / (end diastolic volume)

cardiac output =

= (stroke volume) * (heart rate)

cardiac index =

= (stroke volume) * (heart rate) / (body surface area)

Interpretation:

• The normal stroke volume index: 40-50 mL per contraction per square meter BSA.

• The normal cardiac output: 3-7 liters per minute.

• The normal cardiac index:  2.5 - 4.5 liters per min per square meter BSA.