Gastric intramucosal pH and hepatic venous oximetry after cardiopulmonary bypass in valve replacement patients

Abstract

To determine splanchnic perfusion after cardiopulmonary bypass, gastric intramucosal pH (pH i) and hepatic venous oxygen saturation (S HVO 2) were measured in 14 patients with cardiac valve replacement. Blood samples were analysed at 6, 12 and 24 h after admission to an intensive care unit. Gastric pH i increased significantly ( P <0.01) from 7.21 at 6h to 7.31 at 12 h and increased to 7.37 at 24 h while S HVO 2 increased significantly ( P <0.05) from 48% at 6 h to 57% at 12 h and 24 h. Cardiac index was >41/min per m 2 and mixed venous oxygen saturation >70%. Despite sufficient cardiac output, splanchnic perfusion decreased after cardiopulmonary bypass and recovered within 24 h after admission to the intensive care unit. It is concluded that gastric pH i and S HVO 2 are useful parameters for monitoring postoperative splanchnic perfusion in patients with open-heart surgery.