OBJECTIVES: To characterize the scientific articles related to the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis, decreased cardiac output. Verify those articles that describe the behavior of the defining characteristics of this diagnosis, identifying those that occur with the highest frequency. METHODS: A systematic review of literature published between the years 1985 - 2008 was conducted, using the following databases: Lilacs, SciELO, EMBASE, Medline, Pubmed and Cochrane. RESULTS: The sample included 13 articles which identified 50 defining characteristics. Ten characteristics were noted to occur with high frequency: altered heart rate/rhythm, dyspnea, labile blood pressure, rales, oliguria / anuria, edema, cold skin, fatigue / weakness, decreased peripheral pulses and decreased peripheral perfusion. CONCLUSION: This subject has not been explored in depth in the literature. The importance of physical examination, the use of less invasive techniques, and the need to review the proposed defining characteristics to provide clarity and objectivity in the identification of this nursing diagnosis was identified
Nursing diagnosis; Low cardiac output; Cardiac output
