Transpulmonary thermodilution curves for detection of shunt

Purpose: Monitoring using transpulmonary thermodilution (TPTD) via a single thermal indicator technique allows measurement of cardiac output, extravascular lung water (EVLW) and volumetric variables. Methods and results: This report describes two cases of systemic-venous circulation shunt generating early recirculation of thermal indicator with overestimation of EVLW. Conclusion: In the case of recirculation of thermal indicator, the observed overestimated EVLW in absence of gas exchanges abnormality could be an indicator suggesting the search for a circulatory shunt