The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 22, 176-181, Copyright © 1976 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Cardiac performance and oxygen consumption during intracardiac operations in children
G Benzing 3d, J Helmsworth, JT Schreiber and S Kaplan
Cardiac performance and oxygen consumption in 30 patients undergoing
surgical treatment for congenital cardiac disease were determined from
intraoperative measurements. Arterial pressure, cardiac index, mean left
ventricular hydraulic output power, pulmonary artery oxygen saturation were
obtained at average mean left atrial pressures of 8.1 and 15.2 cm H2O after
cardiopulmonary bypass in 20 patients. These same variables were measured
at an average pulmonary artery saturation of 65 and 75% in 30 patients. A
composite of measurements of cardiac performance was desirable to guide
precise patient care intraoperatively, especially if myocardial function
was compromised. It is suggested that left atrial pressure be maintained at
a level that results in a pulmonary artery saturation greater than 65%.