Evaluation of a new fibre-optic pulmonary artery catheter in intensive care. A preliminary study.

We have assessed the performance of a new fibre-optic pulmonary artery catheter for the measurement of mixed venous oxygen saturation. The results obtained from this catheter compare well with those using standard techniques. Other information from the catheter allows oxygen consumption to be easily calculated and again the results obtained agree closely with those measured using standard techniques.