Cardiac Power Index: Clinical Guide

Overview

Calculates cardiac power index from mean arterial pressure and cardiac index.

Clinical Significance

Normalises cardiac pumping power to body surface area. It supports haemodynamic assessment but is not a standalone treatment trigger.

When to Use

• Use when the required measurements are available, reliable and clinically relevant.

How It Is Calculated

• CPI = MAP × cardiac index / 451.

Interpretation

• Normalises cardiac pumping power to body surface area. It supports haemodynamic assessment but is not a standalone treatment trigger.

Worked Example

Enter valid values in the displayed units. MedicalC then applies: CPI = MAP × cardiac index / 451.

Limitations

• The result does not establish a diagnosis or mandate treatment.
• Measurement error may be more important than arithmetic precision.
• Published thresholds may differ between populations and settings.

Clinical Pearls

• Document the source values and units with the final result.
• Review trends rather than isolated values where appropriate.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong unit.
• Combining values from different time points.
• Applying the result outside the intended measurement or clinical context.

References

1. Fincke R et al. Cardiac power is the strongest hemodynamic correlate of mortality in cardiogenic shock. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004. — Primary, supporting or authoritative reference for the implemented relationship.