Using the Fick equation, calculate cardiac output if a person is consuming 1.41 L O2/min, has an arterial O2 content of 190 ml O2/L, and a venous O2 content of 25 ml O2/L.

Cardiac output (CO) = 8.54 l / min

Explanation:

Given:

Oxygen consumption (V) = 1.41 l O2/min

Oxygen in arterial (Ca) = 190 ml O2/L = 0.19 l O2/L

Oxygen in venous (Cv) = 25 ml O2/L = 0.025 l O2/L

Find:

Cardiac output (CO)

Computation:

Cardiac output (CO) = V / (Ca - Cv)

Cardiac output (CO) = 1.41 / (0.19 - 0.025)

Cardiac output (CO) = 8.54 l / min