USEFULNESS OF INTERMITTENT MONITORING OF MIXED VENOUS OXYGEN-SATURATION AFTER STAGE-I PALLIATION FOR HYPOPLASTIC LEFT-HEART SYNDROME

Most deaths after stage I palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndro me have occurred within the first 24 hours after surgery. Efforts to i mprove 1-day survival should therefore have significant impact on impr oving overall survival. Early death has most often been attributed to low cardiac output and abnormalities of pulmonary to systemic blow rat io (Qp/Qs). Thirteen infants underwent stage I palliation and had a ca theter inserted in the high superior vena cava (SVC) far intermittent measurement of SVC oxygen saturation. Calculation of Qp/Qs was achieve d using SVC saturation as a mixed venous oxygen saturation, and estima ting pulmonary venous oxygen saturation.