Post-operative myocardial dysfunction does not affect the physiological response to early mobilization after coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: An acute increase in oxygen demand can be compensated for either by increased cardiac index (CI) or increased oxygen extraction, resulting in reduced mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). We tested the hypothesis that post-operative cardiac dysfunction may explain why oxygen extraction alone is increased during early mobilization after cardiac surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients with a pre-operative ejection fraction > 50% were included in an open prospective observational study comparing the changes in SvO2 and hemodynamics during mobilizations immediately prior to surgery and on the first post-operative morning. RESULTS: Mobilization induced an absolute reduction in SvO2 of 17.7 +/- 7.4% pre- and 19.0 +/- 5.5% post-operatively (NS). ANOVA for a series of measurements throughout the mobilization sequence identified no different effect on SvO2 between pre- and post-operative mobilizations (P = 0.567). The SvO2 level was reduced post-operatively resulting in a SvO2 during standing exercise of 55% before and 49% after the surgery (P < 0.01). Mobilization increased the heart rate (HR) and decreased the stroke volume index (SVI), leaving CI unchanged. This response was similar pre- and post-operatively (NS). Compared with pre-operative measurements, CI and HR increased post-operatively while SVI remained unchanged despite elevated cardiac filling pressures and reduced systemic vascular resistance. The left ventricular stroke work index was reduced, indicating reduced myocardial performance. CONCLUSION: Myocardial function was reduced on the first morning after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but during post-operative mobilization this reduction did not significantly influence the changes in CI or SvO2.     

Mixed venous oxygen desaturation during early mobilization after coronary artery bypass surgery

BACKGROUND: Early postoperative mobilization induces a marked reduction in mixed venous oxygen saturation (S(v)O(2)) after aortic valve replacement. We investigated whether a similar desaturation occurs among coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients, and if the desaturation was related to the preoperative ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Thirty-one CABG patients with a wide range in EF were included in an open observational study. We recorded hemodynamic and oxygenation variables during mobilization on postoperative day 1 and day 2 using a pulmonary artery catheter. RESULTS: Patients with an EF ranging from 24 to 87% were mobilized without clinical problems. S(v)O(2) at rest was 65.4 +/- 4.9% (mean +/- SD) on day 1 and 64.3 +/- 5.8% on day 2 (NS). During mobilization, cardiac index and oxygen delivery were reduced while oxygen consumption was increased (P-values: 0.000, 0.007 and 0.000, respectively). Consequently, oxygen extraction increased, resulting in a marked reduction in S(v)O(2)-42.9 +/- 8.3% on day 1 and 47.4 +/- 8.5% on day 2 (P = 0.025 between days). Several pre-, intra- and postoperative factors were tested as possible predictors for S(v)O(2) during mobilization. No factor contributed substantially. CONCLUSION: Patients with CABG exhibit a marked desaturation during early postoperative mobilization. Preoperative ejection fraction did not affect S(v)O(2) during exercise. The clinical consequences and underlying mechanism require further investigation.     

The feasibility of transesophageal echocardiograph-guided right and left ventricular oximetry in hemodynamically stable patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

There are no techniques available for continuous noninvasive measurement of the oxygen saturation of blood flowing through the heart. We assessed the feasibility and accuracy of transesophageal echocardiograph (TEE)-guided left ventricular (SpO2 LV) and right ventricular (SpO2 RV) oximetry. Twenty hemodynamically stable, well-oxygenated anesthetized patients (ASA physical status III, aged 51-75 yr) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. A TEE probe was modified by attaching a single-use pediatric reflectance pulse oximeter just proximal to the ultrasound transducer. The TEE probe was directed toward the LV by using the transgastric mid-short axis view or toward the RV by using the transgastric RV inflow view, in random order. Readings were taken every 30 s for 10 min during a hemodynamically stable period of anesthesia. Simultaneous blood samples were taken from the radial artery and pulmonary artery to determine arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), respectively. During SpO2 LV readings, simultaneous finger pulse oximetry (SpO2 finger) was also recorded. SpO2 LV was feasible in 20 of 20 patients, and SpO2 RV was feasible in 19 of 20 patients. The mean +/- SD (range) oxygen saturation for each method was the following: SpO2 LV, 98.7% +/- 0.6% (97%-100%); SaO2, 98.7% +/- 0.6% (96.6%-99.4%); SpO2 finger, 98.1% +/- 1.2% (97%-100%); SpO2 RV, 73.9% +/- 4.7% (64%-85%); and SvO2, 74.5% +/- 4.4% (66.8%-82.6%). SpO2 LV agreed closely with SaO2 (mean difference, 0.072%). SpO2 RV agreed closely with SvO2 (mean difference, 0.65%). SpO2 LV agreed more closely with SaO2 than finger oximetry (mean difference, -0.072 vs -0.692). TEE-guided SpO2 LV and SpO2 RV are feasible in hemodynamically stable anesthetized patients and provide similar readings to arterial and mixed venous blood samples. The technique merits further investigation. IMPLICATIONS: Transesophageal echocardiograph-guided left and right ventricular oximetry is feasible in hemodynamically stable anesthetized patients and provides similar readings to arterial and mixed venous blood samples.     

Effects of anemia on pulse oximetry and continuous mixed venous hemoglobin saturation monitoring in dogs

The accuracy of pulse oximetry (for pulse hemoglobin oxygen saturation [SpO2]) and mixed venous oximetry (for mixed venous hemoglobin oxygen saturation [SvO2]) was assessed during progressive normovolemic anemia in dogs. Splenectomized mongrel dogs under general anesthesia were monitored with a three-wavelength pulmonary artery oximeter catheter (10 dogs) and a pulse oximeter (11 dogs). Data were collected while fractional inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2) was varied from 1.00 to 0.05 in seven steps. The dogs then underwent isovolemic hemodilution, and the FIO2 was again varied. This sequence continued until data no longer could be obtained. The accuracy of each device was assessed by determining the bias (the average difference between the continuous monitor oximeter and the bench oximeter) and the precision (the standard deviation of the difference). For the three-wavelength Oximetrix catheter (for hemoglobin oxygen saturation denoted here SoxO2), the overall bias (SoxO2 - SvO2) and precision were -0.7 +/- 8.6% for the 193 data points. The accuracy as assessed by bias and precision for SoxO2 was similar for hematocrits of 40-15%. (Bias +/- precision was 2.1 +/- 5.7% for hematocrits greater than 40%, and -1.1 +/- 7.5% for hematocrits of 15% to 19%). At hematocrits between 10 and 14%, the precision worsened to 12%, and for hematocrits less than 10% the bias +/- precision was -11.5 +/- 11.8%. The overall SpO2 accuracy was 0.2 +/- 7.6% for 178 points. The pulse oximeter's accuracy was similar, down to hematocrits of 10%. Below 10%, the bias and precision worsened to -5.4 +/- 18.8%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Perioperative evaluation of a new mixed venous oxygen saturation catheter in cardiac surgical patients.

Fiberoptic pulmonary artery flotation catheters have gained clinical acceptance for continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), especially in the management of hemodynamically unstable patients. Therefore, the performance of the oximetry system used is extremely important. The accuracy and stability of a new two-wavelength oximetry pulmonary artery catheter and SAT-2 oximeter were assessed in adult patients during and following cardiac surgery. After in vitro calibration of the system, the catheter was inserted through the right internal jugular vein and positioned in the pulmonary artery prior to induction of anesthesia. During the study period, the system was updated for hemoglobin changes of 1.8 g/dL or more. In vivo SvO2 values obtained by the oximetry catheter were compared with those determined with a reference oximeter from simultaneously drawn mixed venous blood specimens at different intervals. A total of 604 paired data points from 52 patients were analyzed, 572 (94.7%) of which were within the 95% confidence interval. Overall bias was -1.7% +/- 3.5% (SD). The results suggest that over the time course of the study, in vivo SvO2 values obtained with the two-wavelength catheter and the SAT-2 oximeter closely approximated SvO2 measured with a reference oximeter from mixed venous blood samples (r = 0.917; SEE 3.5%) in cardiac surgical patients in whom marked physiological changes occur.     

Venous oxygen saturation during normovolaemic haemodilution in the pig

BACKGROUND: Hypovolaemia may be considered to represent a volume-restricted cardiac output (CO), but CO varies inversely with the haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and a maximal mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) may be a better target for volume administration than a maximal CO. METHODS: In 10 anaesthetized pigs, volume loading with 6% hydroxyethyl starch was performed to obtain a maximal SvO2 followed by normovolaemic haemodilution with 6% hydroxyethyl starch. RESULTS: Volume loading increased SvO2 from 55.0+/-5.2% to 64.8+/-9.0% (mean+/-SD) associated with an increase in CO (2.3+/-0.4 to 3.5+/-0.9 l/min) and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2; 68.2+/-9.3% to 79.4+/-7.2%; P<0.05). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial (MAP), central venous (CVP), pulmonary arterial mean (PAMP), and occlusion pressures (PAOP) increased as well (P<0.05). In contrast, during progressive haemodilution, SvO2 and ScvO2 remained statistically unchanged until the haemoglobin concentration had decreased from 5.5+/-0.4 to 2.9+/-0.2 mM, while CO and HR increased at a haemoglobin value of 4.4+/-0.4 and 4.0+/-0.4 mM and CVP and PAOP decreased at a haemoglobin of 4.0+/-0.4 and 2.9+/-0.2 mM, respectively (P<0.05) leaving MAP unaffected. CONCLUSION: This study found that volume loading increased cardiac output and mixed and central venous oxygen saturations in parallel, but during normovolaemic haemodilution an increase in cardiac output left mixed and central venous oxygen saturations statistically unchanged until haemoglobin concentration was reduced by approximately 50%. Accordingly, volume therapy should be directed to maintain a high venous oxygen saturation rather than a change in cardiac output.     

Mixed venous oxygen saturation during mobilization after cardiac surgery: are reflectance oximetry catheters reliable?

BACKGROUND: Oximetry catheters immediately reflect changes in mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). We have used the Baxter 2-SAT system to register changes in SvO2 during early mobilizations after cardiac surgery. To assess catheter reliability, readings were compared to blood gases. METHODS: A total of 352 paired catheter and bench haemoximetry measurements were obtained at the expected highest and lowest levels of SvO2 during the mobilization procedures. The agreement between methods was explored by a Bland-Altman plot. The influence of haemoglobin (Hgb), pH, cardiac output (CO), posture, catheter identity and catheter calibration on agreement was assessed through analysis of covariance. RESULTS: Data included a substantial number of low SvO2 values, 95 paired means of SvO2 < or = 50% and 37 paired means < or = 40%. Mean oxygen saturation difference between catheter and haemoximeter readings was -1.6 +/- 5.7% (SD). Agreement between the methods depended upon the level of SvO2. At SvO2 of 65%, the two methods were virtually identical. Below 65%, the catheters increasingly underestimated the corresponding haemoximetric values by 1.5% for every 10% reduction in SvO2. Agreement was to some degree dependent on individual calibrations and catheter identity, but to a lesser extent on Hgb, CO and posture. CONCLUSION: The two methods are interchangeable for most clinical purposes. Catheter readings are, however, substantially lower than the corresponding haemoximetric measurements at low SvO2 values. Careful interpretation of the absolute values resulting from catheter measurements is recommended, especially when SvO2 readings are low.     

Monitorage de la Sv̄2 en chirurgie aortique: intérêt et limites

This study aimed to determine perioperative changes in mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) in patients undergoing aortic surgery. Continuous SvO2 monitoring was carried out using an Oximetrix pulmonary catheter. Fourteen patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups, group I (n = 7) patients being given a thoracic epidural anaesthetic with a supplementary general anaesthetic, and group II (n = 7) a general anaesthetic as usual. In both groups, SvO2 increased at induction. In group I patients, SvO2 decreased during surgery to less than 60% (n = 2) and less than 70% (n = 4). This fall was corrected by volume loading and intravenous ephedrine. The intraoperative decrease in SvO2 occuring in 2 group II patients was due to a fall in haematocrit in one, and a propranolol infusion in the other. Although patients in group I were all extubated early after the end of surgery (85 +/- 35 min), the lowest value of SvO2 after extubation was always greater than 60%. Patients undergoing aortic surgery under thoracic epidural anaesthesia can be extubated early, without markedly depressing peripheral reserves in oxygen extraction.     

Blood gas analysis of mixed venous blood during normoxic acute isovolemic hemodilution in pigs

Mixed venous oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SvO2) and mixed venous oxygen tension (PvO2) may reflect the overall balance between oxygen consumption and delivery. Because of the potential value of monitoring SvO2 and PvO2 as indications of the state of tissue oxygenation, the aim of this study was to determine, during normoxic acute isovolemic hemodilution in pigs, the critical PvO2, critical SvO2, and critical oxygen extraction ratio (ER) at which oxygen uptake starts to decline during further induced hemodilution. During stepwise induced isovolemic hemodilution, a gradual decline in SvO2 and PvO2 was observed in all animals. The mean +/- SD of the critical PvO2 of six animals was 32.3 +/- 3.1 mm Hg. The mean +/- SD of the critical SvO2 was 44.2% +/- 7.9%. The ER increased gradually. At an ER of 0.57 +/- 0.08, oxygen uptake started to decline. A significant correlation was found between changes in SvO2 and changes in ER. These degrees of hemodilution were accompanied by an increase in cardiac index, pulmonary wedge pressure, heart rate, and left ventricular stroke work index. Only a slight decrease in systemic vascular resistance was observed. We conclude that measurements of PvO2 and SvO2 can be used as indicators of the critical point of hemodilution and that the SvO2 during hemodilution reflects the overall balance between oxygen uptake and oxygen delivery, confirmed by the strong correlation found between SvO2 and oxygen extraction ratio.     

Estimation of oxygen utilization by dual oximetry.

Total body oxygen utilization coefficient was estimated using continuous pulse and pulmonary artery oximetry (dual oximetry) in 17 patients with respiratory failure. Change in arterial and mixed venous oxygen saturations was induced by altering airway pressure. Continuous measurement of mixed venous oxygen saturation provided an accurate and linear estimate of oxygen utilization coefficient (r = -0.92), the true values being overestimated by 0.05 +/- 0.06 (mean +/- SD). Addition of pulse oximetry improved the correlation (r = 0.93) and decreased the difference between absolute values (0.02 +/- 0.06). Oxygen utilization coefficient can be estimated reliably in an online fashion using pulmonary artery oximetry. However, the use of dual oximetry will further improve the estimate.     

Correlation between cerebral and mixed venous oxygen saturation during moderate versus tepid hypothermic hemodiluted cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to compare cerebral oxygen saturation (RsO(2)) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO(2)) in patients undergoing moderate and tepid hypothermic hemodiluted cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTINGS: University hospital operating room. PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery using hypothermic hemodiluted CPB. INTERVENTIONS: During moderate (28 degrees -30 degrees C) and tepid hypothermic (33 degrees -34 degrees C) hemodiluted CPB, RsO(2) and SvO(2) were continuously monitored with a cerebral oximeter via a surface electrode placed on the patient's forehead and with the mixed venous oximeter integrated in the CPB machine, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean +/- standard deviation of RsO(2), SvO(2), PaCO(2), and hematocrit were determined prebypass and during moderate and tepid hypothermic phases of CPB while maintaining pump flow at 2.4 L/min/m(2) and mean arterial pressure in the 60- to 70-mmHg range. Compared with a prebypass value of 76.0% +/- 9.6%, RsO(2) was significantly decreased during moderate hypothermia to 58.9% +/- 6.4% and increased to 66.4% +/- 6.7% after slow rewarming to tepid hypothermia. In contrast, compared with a prebypass value of 78.6% +/- 3.3%, SvO(2) significantly increased to 84.9% +/- 3.6% during moderate hypothermia and decreased to 74.1% +/- 5.6% during tepid hypothermia. During moderate hypothermia, there was poor agreement between RsO(2) and SvO(2) with a gradient of 26%; however, during tepid hypothermia, there was a strong agreement between RsO(2) and SvO(2) with a gradient of 6%. The temperature-uncorrected PaCO(2) was maintained at the normocapnic level throughout the study, whereas the temperature-corrected PaCO(2) was significantly lower during the moderate hypothermic phase (26.8 +/- 3.1 mmHg) compared with the tepid hypothermic phase (38.9 +/- 3.7 mmHg) of CPB. There was a significant and positive correlation between RsO(2) and temperature-corrected PaCO(2) during hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS: During moderate hypothermic hemodiluted CPB, there was a significant increase of SvO(2) associated with a paradoxic decrease of RsO(2) that was attributed to the low temperature-corrected PaCO(2) values. During tepid CPB after slow rewarming, regional cerebral oxygen saturation was increased in association with an increase with the temperature-corrected PaCO(2) values. The results show that during hypothermic hemodiluted CPB using the alpha-stat strategy for carbon dioxide homeostasis, cerebral oxygen saturation is significantly higher during tepid than moderate hypothermia.     

Routine SvO2 measurement after CABG surgery with a surgically introduced pulmonary artery catheter.

OBJECTIVE: It has been argued that the poor correlation between cardiac output and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) reduces the value of SvO2. Routine use of Swan Ganz catheters is also controversial in cardiac surgery. Here our clinical experience with a simplified method for routine hemodynamic monitoring and the short-term prognostic value of SvO2 after CABG surgery is presented. METHOD: Peroperatively an epidural catheter is routinely introduced through the outflow tract of the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery for monitoring of pressure and blood sampling. Clinical data were retrospectively retrieved from the records and related to SvO2 routinely obtained on admission to the ICU after 488 CABG procedures. RESULTS: Average SvO2 on arrival to ICU was 67+/-7%. The SvO2 value of 55% represented a cut off point below which a high incidence of complications were found. Outcome after 456 procedures with SvO2 > or = 55% compared with 32 procedures with SvO2 < 55%: mortality 0 vs. 9.4% (P = 0.0003), perioperative myocardial infarction 6.2 vs. 29% (P < 0.0001), ventilator treatment 8.9+/-10.1 vs. 25.7+/-54.9 h (P = 0.0074), ICU stay 1.4+/-1.2 vs. 2.1+/-1.7 days (P = 0.0010). CONCLUSIONS: SvO2 was of prognostic value and due to its specificity it seems particularly useful for telling which patients are unlikely to develop cardiorespiratory problems. Thus, this simple method for hemodynamic monitoring could contribute to cost containment as it seems that we can safely reserve Swan Ganz catheters for high-risk patients.     

Detection of venous air embolism by continuous mixed venous oximetry in dogs

Continuous mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO 2) was evaluated as a monitor of venous air embolism in a canine model. Nineteen dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. Invasive monitoring included SvO 2, systemic and pulmonary artery blood pressures, and thermodilution cardiac outputs. Air boluses of 0.25 and 0.5 ml/kg were injected in six dogs and 1 ml/kg in all. All 1 ml/kg emboli were detected by greater than or equal to 5% decreases in the SvO 2. The SvO 2 decreased from 82 +/- 8% to 72 +/- 11% (mean +/- SD), an average decrease of 9 +/- 5% (p = 0.004). Time to the SvO 2 nadir was 2.6 +/- 2.5 min. Of the 0.5 and 0.25 ml/kg emboli, 50% and 17% were detected, respectively. Cardiac output decreased from 2.9 +/- 0.8 to 2.1 +/- 0.8 L/min after the 1 ml/kg emboli (p = 0.02). The 1 ml/kg emboli increased pulmonary artery pressures and decreased systemic blood pressure in 100% and 75% of animals, respectively. Peak changes in pulmonary artery pressure occurred at 1.2 +/- 0.8 min. In the present study, time to maximum change was greater for SvO 2 than for pulmonary artery pressure changes. Use of fiberoptic pulmonary artery catheters for continuous measurement of SvO 2 can add a new diagnostic modality to venous air embolism detection in patients who require a pulmonary artery catheter for other medical indications.     

Effects of increasing FiO2 on venous saturation during cardiopulmonary bypass in the swine model

Adequacy of perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is dependent on nutrient delivery and waste removal from the tissue. A recent study showed that over 75% of cardiopulmonary bypass procedures are completed using continuous venous saturation (SvO2) monitoring. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of changing FiO2concentration on SvO2. A total of eight mixed gender 45-kg swine were placed on CPB under moderate hypothermic conditions. Animals were divided evenly into two groups: Experimental, where FiO2 was increased to 100% and blood flow decreased to an SvO2 level of prechange in FiO2, and Control, where the same condition was created except no change in blood flow. Variables measured include hemodynamic, blood gas, intramyocardial pH, and lactic acid concentrations. In the experimental group, percentage change of blood flow was decreased from baseline 28.4% +/- 12.5% (p < .005) as well as percentage change of oxygen delivery 23.9% +/- 14.7% (p < .005). Systemic venous saturation percentage change was increased in both the experimental 14.4% +/- 6.8% (p < .05) and control 11.2% +/- 7.1% (p < .05) groups. Jugular venous saturation percentage change was decreased in the experimental group 7.8% +/- 6.34% (p < .02), but not in the control animals. Myocardial venous saturation percentage change decreased in the experimental group to 3.73% +/- 8.34% (p < .004). Experimental manipulation, however, did not significantly change jugular lactic acid concentrations or intramyocardial pH values. In conclusion, these results suggest that decreased blood flow adjusting for increased SvO2 associated with high PaO2 did not result in significant reduction of adequacy of perfusion markers for organs studied.     

Continuous monitoring of gas exchange and oxygen use with dual oximetry

The utility of integrated pulse and pulmonary artery oximetry, known as dual oximetry, was evaluated by monitoring 10 critically ill surgical patients for a total of 208 patient hours. The ventilation-perfusion index (VQI), an estimate of venous admixture, and the oxygen extraction index (O2EI), an estimate of tissue oxygen utilization coefficient, previously described, were calculated on-line from arterial and mixed venous oxyhemoglobin saturations using a computer. Effective monitoring was accomplished 85% of the total time. The dual oximetry device was nonfunctional owing to equipment failure only 15% of the time, even though no undue attention was given to instructing the staff on operation of the oximeters. Accuracy of VQI and O2EI was reconfirmed by this study. Drift in the saturations, VQI, and O2EI during the 6-h period between calibrations was negligible. The 95% range of random variability was +/- 2% for SaO2, +/- 3% for SvO2, +/- 5% for VQI, and +/- 0.04 for O2EI. Thirty-six episodes of arterial blood desaturation below 90% were detected by continuous oximetry. In contrast, 74 routine arterial blood samples revealed only four such episodes. Dual oximetry appears to be a technically reliable and accurate method of monitoring pulmonary gas exchange and tissue oxygen utilization. The equipment provided stable readings for at least six hours without recalibration. Random variability is sufficiently small to allow early detection of alterations in pulmonary and circulatory function without blood sampling.     

Redefining the impact of oxygen and hyperventilation after the Norwood procedure

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative management after the Norwood procedure is aimed at optimizing systemic oxygen delivery and mixed venous oxygen saturation. High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen and hyperventilation may increase pulmonary blood flow at the expense of systemic flow. This study determines the effects of these interventions on mixed venous saturation and systemic oxygen delivery in postoperative neonates. METHODS: We prospectively studied the effects of 100% fraction of inspired oxygen and hyperventilation in 14 neonates (median age 8 days) 1 to 3 days after the Norwood procedure, while they were sedated, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated. After establishment of baseline conditions (fraction of inspired oxygen = 29% +/- 2%, normal ventilation), patients were exposed to each of the 2 interventions in random order. Mixed venous saturation was measured through a transthoracic line in the superior vena cava. Oxygen excess factor (Omega = systemic oxygen delivery/oxygen consumption) was used as an indicator of systemic oxygen delivery. RESULTS: High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen produced significant increases from baseline in systemic saturation (90% +/- 1% vs 80% +/- 1%, P <.01), mixed venous saturation (54% +/- 3% vs 44% +/- 2%, P <.01), and oxygen excess factor (2.6% +/- 0.2% vs 2.3 +/- 0.2%, P <.01), but there was no change in arteriovenous saturation difference or blood pressure. Hyperventilation resulted in no changes in systemic or mixed venous saturation, arteriovenous saturation difference, oxygen excess factor, or blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of fraction of inspired oxygen can improve mixed venous oxygen saturation and systemic oxygen delivery after the Norwood procedure. Hyperventilation does not change either mixed venous saturation or oxygen delivery. Management protocols aimed at minimizing the fraction of inspired oxygen and carefully controlling ventilation may not be warranted.     

Venous saturation and the anaerobic threshold in neonates after the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome

BACKGROUND: Reduction in oxygen delivery can lead to organ dysfunction and death by cellular hypoxia, detectable by progressive (mixed) venous oxyhemoglobin desaturation until extraction is limited at the anaerobic threshold. We sought to determine the critical level of venous oxygen saturation to maintain aerobic metabolism in neonates after the Norwood procedure (NP) for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). METHODS: A prospective perioperative database was maintained for demographic, hemodynamic, and laboratory data. Invasive arterial and atrial pressures, arterial saturation, oximetric superior vena cava (SVC) saturation, and end-tidal CO2 were continuously recorded and logged hourly for the first 48 postoperative hours. Arterial and venous blood gases and cooximetry were obtained at clinically appropriate intervals. SVC saturation was used as an approximation of mixed venous saturation (SvO2). A standard base excess (BE) less than -4 mEq/L (BElo), or a change exceeding -2 mEq/L/h (deltaBElo), were used as indicators of anaerobic metabolism. The relationship between SvO2 and BE was tested by analysis of variance and covariance for repeated measures; the binomial risk of BElo or deltaBElo at SvO2 strata was tested by the likelihood ratio test and logistic regression, with cutoff at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Complete data were available in 48 of 51 consecutive patients undergoing NP yielding 2,074 valid separate determinations. BE was strongly related to SvO2 (model R2 = 0.40, p < 0.0001) with minimal change after adjustment for physiologic covariates. The risk of anaerobic metabolism was 4.8% overall, but rose to 29% when SvO2 was 30% or below (p < 0.0001). Survival was 100% at 1 week and 94% at hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of acid-base changes revealed an apparent anaerobic threshold when SvO2 fell below 30%. Clinical management to maintain SvO2 above this threshold yielded low mortality.     

Profound hypoxemia during treatment of low cardiac output after cardiopulmonary bypass

PURPOSE: To illustrate the multiple causes of hypoxemia to be considered following cardiopulmonary bypass and how therapy given to improve oxygen delivery may have contributed to a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation to life-threatening levels. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 61 yr old man with severe mitral regurgitation and chronic obstructive lung disease underwent surgery for mitral valve repair. A pulmonary artery catheter with the capacity to measure cardiac output and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) continuously was used. Two unsuccessful attempts were made to repair the valve which was finally replaced, requiring cardiopulmonary bypass of 317 min. Dobutamine 5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 and sodium nitroprusside 1 microgram.kg-1.min-1 were used to increase cardiac output. Soon after, the SvO2 decreased progressively from 55 to 39%. The patient became cyanotic with a PaO2 of 39 mmHg. Sodium nitroprusside was stopped and amrinone 100 mg bolus followed by 10 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 was given in addition to adding PEEP to the ventilation. With these measures PaO2 could be maintained of safe levels but PEEP and high inspired oxygen concentrations were needed postoperatively until the trachea could be extubated on the third postoperative day. CONCLUSION: The profound hypoxemia in this case was likely due to a combination of intra- and extrapulmonary shunt, both augmented by sodium nitroprusside. The desaturation of mixed venous blood amplified the effect of these shunts in decreasing arterial oxygen saturation. The interaction of these factors are analyzed in this report.     

Continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation during orthotopic liver transplantation.

Hemodynamic management is an important issue concerning anesthesia for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) is considered a good index of tissue oxygenation, but controversy exists about the usefulness of monitoring this parameter in different types of surgery. Therefore, a prospective study was performed to determine changes in SvO2 during OLT and to study the correlation between SvO2 and hemodynamic measurements. Thirty patients undergoing transplantation for end-stage liver disease were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 15, aged 42 +/- 11 years [mean +/- SD]) without venovenous bypass (VVB), and group 2 (n = 15, aged 43 +/- 10 years) with VVB. SvO2 was greater than 74% throughout the procedure and remained stable during dissection and the anhepatic phase. There was a significant increase in SvO2 after unclamping the portal vein in group 1, whereas a significant decrease was observed during the first hour following reperfusion in group 2. There was no correlation among SvO2 and oxygen consumption, arterial oxygen saturation, (SaO2), or hemoglobin concentrations. A statistically significant correlation was found between SvO2 and cardiac index in both groups (group 1: r = 0.58, P = 0.01; group 2: r = 0.51, P = 0.01), but the correlation was relatively poor. Continuous monitoring of SvO2 may be useful, but cannot substitute for intermittent determinations of other hemodynamic or oxygenation parameters.     

Continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation in anesthesia in pulmonary surgery

The multiplicity of potential causes of variations in mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) during one lung ventilation (OLV), including a constant ventilation/perfusion mismatch, explains that it has been suggested as a routine monitoring procedure. To assess its usefulness, 12 adults undergoing OLV were monitored during surgery with an Oximetrix pulmonary catheter, placed on the side opposite to the surgical field under fluoroscopic control. Seventy two complete sets of haemodynamic measurements were obtained at 6 different times during surgery. We studied the ability of changes in SvO2 to predict changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), cardiac output (CO), and venous admixture (VA) by calculating sensitivities (Se), specificities (Sp) and predictive values with regard to these variables. There were no complications due to the protocol. However left-sided catheter placement failed in four cases. Correlation between optical and measured SvO2 was very strong (r = 0.94; p less than 0.001). SvO2, oxygen consumption (VO2) and the rate of oxygen extraction remained constant throughout the procedure, even when CO, mean arterial pressure, VA, SaO2 and PaO2 varied. Clamping the pulmonary artery returned VA, SaO2 and PaO2 values to those found before OLV, but produced a significant decrease in CO. SvO2 had low Se and Sp for changes in other variables (CO: 76 +/- 7, 48 +/- 9; PaO2: 79 +/- 6, 59 +/- 9; VA: 54 +/- 7, 48 +/- 7 respectively). In this type of surgery, alterations in variables related to oxygen are probably balanced by haemodynamic changes. In fact, according to Fick's formula, SvO2 is almost completely determined by SaO2 and CO, when VO2 and haemoglobin remain stable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)