Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO²) at different ranges of arterial oxygenation in newborn infants with respiratory insufficiency.† 1086

Objective: To describe the ScvO² levels at the lower (86-90%) and higher (91 - 96%) end of the currently recommended range of pulseoximetry (SpO²) in newborn infants with respiratory insufficiency. Design: a prospective observational study. Patients: 10 newborn infants (birthweight: 720 - 3400 grams) suffering from RDS and treated with mechanical ventilation and oxygen administration. Methods: SpO² and ScvO² were measured continuously by pulseoximetry, and by a fiberoptic catheter inserted into the right atrium via the umbilical vein, respectively. Measurements and Results: SpO², ScvO² were registered and venous admixture (Ven Adm) (100- SpO²)/(100 - ScvO²) was calculated every 15 minutes. For each patient the mean values of SpO², ScvO² and Ven Adm were calculated for both levels of oxygenation (table). In all patients ScvO² was significantly reduced and Ven Adm was significantly increased at the lower range of oxygenation (p < 0.05; unpaired Student's T test).

Table 1

Conclusions: The increased Ven Adm in the lower SpO² range seems to indicate an increased instability in gas exchange, however, the reduction of ScvO² revealed a stable tissue oxygen uptake at both levels of the recommended range of oxygenation.