Measurement of Central Venous Oxygen Saturation in Patients with Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Central venous oxygen saturation (CVSO₂) was measured in 31 patients with myocardial infarction. CVSO₂ correlated well with the patients' clinical course. In those patients not in heart failure, mean ± sem for CVSO₂ was 70 ± 1%. When heart failure was present, CVSO₂ averaged 56 ± 1%. When both heart failure and shock were present, CVSO₂ averaged 43 ± 1%. In nine patients, serial determinations of arterial oxygen saturation and CVSO₂ were made. In 22 of 26 instances, either a fall in CVSO₂ was accompanied by an increase in the arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference or an increase in CVSO₂ was accompanied by a decrease in arteriovenous oxygen saturation difference. Serial measurements of CVSO₂ appear to be a useful method of monitoring changes in myocardial function in patients with myocardial infarction.