Assessment of Cardiovascular Function

The study of hemodynamics began in 1628 with William Harvey’s description of the circulation of blood. Hemodynamics describes the complex interactions between cardiac function, vascular pressure, resistance and volume. An alteration in any of these variables can have profound physiological consequences. In order to support the cardiovascular system during a variety of disease states, an appreciation of the available assessment tools used to evaluate cardiac function and hemodynamics is essential. This chapter will focus on the utility and limitations of noninvasive and invasive measures of cardiac function and hemodynamics.