CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF VENOUS OXYGEN-SATURATION IN CRITICALLY-ILL INFANTS

A 4-French gauge Opticath catheter, inserted into a neonate's right at rium through the right internal jugular vein, can be used to continuou sly monitor venous blood oxygen saturation in the right atrium. This m ethod instantly detects subtle changes in cardiopulmonary function in small infants. and neonates and enables the appropriate treatment to b e given in cases of critical infantile and neonatal cardiopulmonary de terioration This report discusses four neonatal and infantile patients who underwent continuous monitoring of venous blood oxygen saturation in the right atrium. Continous monitoring allowed appropriate treatme nt to be given earlier compared to conventional monitoring methods of blood pressure and heart rare.