Rationale for using the velocity-time integral and the minute distance for assessing the stroke volume and cardiac output in point-of-care settings.

The VTI and minute distance are simple, feasible and reproducible measurements to serially track the SV and CO and thus their high value in the hemodynamic monitoring of critically ill patients in point-of-care settings. In addition, the LVOT VTI is able to predict outcomes in selected populations.