Suprahepatic vein oxygen saturation monitoring and gastric tonometry in the management of severe septic shock. Report of four cases

Splanchnic hypoperfusion, with pathogenic implications for multiple organ f ailure, can occur during septic shock. We report four patients with septic shock in whom regional hepatosplenic splanchnic perfusion was monitored thr ough suprahepatic vein catheterization and gastric tonometry. Suprahepatic lactate and oxygen saturation showed splanchnic hypoperfusion in all patien ts. These parameters improved only in the patient that survived. Gastric to nometry was more inconsistent. We conclude that suprahepatic vein catheteri zation could have a role in the management of septic shock.