Normal Cardiac Index

It serves as a reference tool for healthcare practitioners to compare a patient's cardiac index against established normal ranges, aiding in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.

Techniques like echocardiography or thermodilution are commonly used to measure the Cardiac Index. The obtained value is adjusted based on the individual's body surface area for accurate assessment.

They provide expected Cardiac Index values for different age groups (infants, children, adults, and elderly), helping to distinguish normal heart function from potential abnormalities based on age.

A low cardiac index (<2.2 L/min/m²) suggests low cardiac output, often linked to heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or severe hypovolemia. A high cardiac index (>4.0 L/min/m² in adults) may indicate hyperdynamic states such as sepsis, anemia, or thyrotoxicosis, where increased flow does not always mean adequate tissue perfusion.‍