Measurement of central venous oxygen saturation in patients with myocarial infarction.

Abstract

Central venous oxygen saturation (CVSO 2 ) was measured in 31 patients with myocardial infarction. CVSO 2 correlated well with the patients' clinical course. In those patients not in heart failure, mean ± sem for CVSO 2 was 70 ± 1%. When heart failure was present, CVSO 2 averaged 56 ± 1%. When both heart failure and shock were present, CVSO 2 averaged 43 ± 1%. In nine patients, serial determinations of arterial oxygen saturation and CVSO 2 were made. In 22 of 26 instances, either a fall in CVSO 2 was accompanied by an increase in the arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference or an increase in CVSO 2 was accompanied by a decrease in arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference. Serial measurements of CVSO 2 appear to be a useful method of monitoring changes in myocardial function in patients with myocardial infarction.