MONITORING OF PH AND PCO2 IN CHILDREN USING THE PARATREND-7 IN A PERIPHERAL VEIN

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of the Paratrend 7 monitor inserted into a peripheral vein in providing continuous measurements of PCO2 a nd pH in children with respiratory failure. Methods: in a prospective, case series at a University based PICU in a tertiary referral hospita l and following informed consent, the Paratrend 7 intra-arterial blood gas monitoring system was inserted through a peripheral intravenous c annula. When clinically indicated, an arterial blood gas (ABG) was obt ained. The values of pH and PCO2 from the Paratrend 7 and the ABG were compared using linear regression analysis and Bland-Altman analysis, Results: Seventeen ABGs were obtained in the 4 patients, Pa-CO2 ranged from 29 to 51 mmHg and the pH values from 7.16 to 7.50, Linear regres sion analysis for the Paratrend 7 pH vs the ABG pH resulted in an r=0. 9678 and an r(2)=0.9367 (P<0.0001). Linear regression analysis for the Paratrend 7 CO2 vs ABG CO2 resulted in an r=0.8273 and an r(2)=0.6845 (P=0.01). Using a Bland and Altman analysis, the bias +/- precision o f the PCO2 values was 3 +/- 1.4 and 0.036 +/- 0.02 for the pH values. Conclusion: The pH and PCO2 values obtained from the Paratrend 7 monit or provide a clinically acceptable correlation with arterial values.