Central Venous Oxygen Saturations

doi:10.1001/jama.1970.03170150053009

Central Venous Oxygen Saturations

Value of Serial Determinations in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Adolph M. Hutter Jr., MD;
Arthur J. Moss, MD

From the Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY. Dr. Hutter is now with Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Abstract

The clinical significance of serial central venous oxygen saturation (CVSo ) determinations was investigated in 34 patients with acute myocardial infarction. The mean initial CVSo₂ of 73% fell to a low of 68% (P<0.05) on the third postinfarction day, and rose slightly thereafter. The average values of the lowest recorded CVSo₂ in 9 patients with an uncomplicated course, 10 patients with a moderately complicated course, and 15 patients with a severely complicated clinical course were 65%, 65%, and 54%, respectively. A fall in CVSo₂ to less than 55% preceded the development of hypotension in three patients and was concurrent with hypotension in two. Serial CVSo₂ determinations are useful in the early detection of cardiac decompensation in patients with acute myocardial infarction.