Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Direct Fick
Introduction
The Direct Fick Method is a method of measuring cardiac output using the Fick Principle. It divides the oxygen intake by the difference in oxygen content of aortic blood and mixed venous blood. It has been criticized as inaccurate by some because its invasive nature alters cardiac dynamics.