Evaluation of a pediatric central venous oximetry catheter in critically ill children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the readings from a modified pediatric central venous oximetry (Scvo2) catheter with co-oximetry saturations of blood samples from critically ill children. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. INTERVENTION: None. SETTING: A pediatric intensive care unit at a tertiary care children's hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Nineteen children, predominantly postcardiac by-pass surgery, were enrolled (mean age, 24.5 mos [range 1 day to 14.3 yrs], mean weight, 9.7 kg [range, 3.2-45 kg]). Measured oxygen saturations were obtained from venous blood samples drawn from the distal port of the catheter and compared with simultaneous values displayed by the oximetry monitor. Sampling was performed every 6 hrs, with the distal port infusions either on, or off, or as clinically indicated. A total of 104 paired samples were obtained. Two subjects were excluded due to the catheter being removed, before the study commenced, to facilitate initiation of extracorporeal support. Regression analysis of the mean oximetry catheter and co-oximetry values showed a correlation of 0.81. The difference between the mean values of both methods was evenly distributed (Bland-Altman analysis) and resulted in a mean percentage difference (oximetry catheter vs. co-oximetry) of 1.09 and a sd of 8.48. There were no device malfunctions or complications. CONCLUSION: Pediatric central venous oximetry catheters provide accurate trending of continuous Scvo2 within the physiologic range studied.