Diagnostic uses for thoracic electrical bioimpedance in the emergency department: clinical case series

Differentiation of the central haemodynamic state is often critical during acute resuscitation. A clinical case series is presented in which the use of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) was pivotal in the diagnostic determination of the pathophysiology. This new technology allows the emergency physician to rapidly determine cardiac output, total peripheral resistance and myocardial contractility. The inexpensive and non-invasive nature of the TEB measurement makes cardiac output determination a potential ‘sixth’ vital sign for the evaluation of the emergent patient.