RT Journal
A1 ULSTAD DR, CAMILLI AE
T1 USe of fiberoptic vs conventional pulmonary artery catheters
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1989
FD September 1
VO 149
IS 9
SP 2139
OP 2142
DO 10.1001/archinte.1989.00390090151036
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1989.00390090151036
AB To the Editor.—We read with interest the recent report by Rajput and coworkers1 comparing the use of fiberoptic vs conventional pulmonary artery (PA) catheters. The authors remind us that measurements of mixed-venous oxygen (MvO2) levels may inadequately assess tissue oxy(Continued on p 2142.) (Continued from p 2139.) genation in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and in septic shock. They also report the wide fluctuations in MvO2 saturation detected with fiberoptic catheters during periods of agitation or suctioning. These fluctuations in MvO2 saturation have recently been reported to influence hemodynamics.2 These points may be directing our attention toward a more focused study of fiberoptic catheters. If continuous assessment of MvO2 saturation is not helpful in ARDS or in septic shock, fiberoptic catheters should not be used in these situations, but not necessarily abandoned entirely. Could the rapid detection of decreasing MvO2