Abstract
The measurement of right ventricular volume will be reviewed with specialreference to the conductance catheter technique. The historical development ofthe intracavitary impedance technique will be described along with the theoryof the multielectrode conductance method. The major potential advantage ofthis technique is its ability to measure dynamic volume change during thecardiac cycle. This enables a real time beat to beat assessment of ventricularvolume in addition to providing continuous recordings during loadingmanoeuvres performed on the ventricle. However, the conductance cathetertechnique is based on the assumption that the electric field produced by thecatheter is homogeneous and parallel to the long axis of the ventricle, andthe current, created by the excitation electrodes of the catheter, iscontained within the ventricular cavity. The measurement of these twocalibration factors (known as parallel conductance volume (Vc) anddimensionless slope factor (α)), along with the effects of changes inblood resistivity and the orientation of the catheter on the measurement ofabsolute volume, will be described. Furthermore, some of the clinicalapplications of the technique in adults and children with heart disease willbe outlined.
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