What is the normal range for cardiac power output (CPO)?

The normal range for cardiac power output (CPO) is generally accepted to be around 0.7 to 1 W. CPO is a crucial measurement that reflects the amount of work the heart is doing to pump blood, which is essential for maintaining adequate perfusion and supporting the metabolic needs of the body's tissues.

Values below this range may indicate suboptimal cardiac function, while values exceeding this range may suggest a high workload on the heart, potentially leading to cardiac stress or failure. Understanding CPO helps healthcare providers in assessing cardiac function, particularly in patients undergoing treatments such as ECMO, where close monitoring of cardiac output and overall heart performance is vital to patient management.