Noninvasive Pulse Contour Analysis for Hemodynamic Assessment in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Determination of hemodynamics plays an important role in the diagnosis of chronic heart failure. The gold standard is intermittent thermodilution via pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). Because of its invasiveness, there are certain risks of this method, e.g. injuries to the nerves and vessels, excessive bleedings, pneumothorax, cardiac arrhythmias etc. Noninvasive pulse contour Analysis (NPCA) is a new method which is able to determine hemodynamics noninvasively via a simple finger cuff. Advantages towards pulmonary artery Catheterization include a lower risk and an operator-Independent easy handling. Some studies investigated the accuracy, precision and trending abilities of noninvasive pulse contour analysis during anesthesia and in the intensive care unit, but there is no data available for its use in patients with chronic heart failure. The investigators therefore initiated this Trial to verify if NPCA is suitable for Determination of hemodynamics in patients with chronic heart failure.