The Rate of Blood Withdrawal Affects the Accuracy of Jugular Venous Bulb

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Abstract
Background: Accuracy of jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) measurement depends on sampling of cerebral venous outflow blood not contaminated by systemic venous blood. The influence of the rate of blood withdrawal has not been determined. Methods: The authors examined the effect of withdrawing blood at different rates from jugular venous bulb catheters (JVBC) on SjvO2 in 10 mechanically ventilated patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures. All patients received a standardized anesthetic consisting of propofol, fentanyl, vecuronium, and isoflurane. Routine monitors included electrocardiograph (ECG), invasive blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and a JVBC. During a period of stable anesthetic and surgical conditions, JVBC blood samples were drawn at 2, 4, and 10 ml/min using a calibrated pump (Harvard Pump model 900, Harvard Apparatus, South Natick, MA) during mild and moderate hypocapnia (arterial carbon dioxide tension [PaCO2], 26.0 +/- 0.5 and 33.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg). Results: Faster rates of withdrawal (10 and 4 ml/min vs. 2 ml/min) resulted in significantly higher SjvO2 values at both levels of PaCO2 (66.0 +/- 3% and 61.2 +/- 3% vs. 56.9 +/- 3% at PaCO2 = 26.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg, and 75.0 +/- 3% and 71.3 +/- 3% vs. 68.0 +/- 3% at PaCO2 = 33.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01). Conclusions: The authors conclude that the SjvO2 values measured with intermittent sampling are affected by the rate of withdrawing blood from JVBC, probably as a result of extracranial contamination. They recommend blood samples should be drawn slowly.