• 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (4) , 331-338
Abstract
Surface-heparinized catheter PO2 [partial pressure] electrodes were used for continuous intraarterial monitoring in nonheparinized dogs. During 1-day experiments the read-out of the electrode monitoring unit was compared with that of conventional blood gas analysis. Furthermore, the electrodes were studied after long-term implantation. The intraarterial PO2 electrodes have previously been reported to be linear in the gas phase, water phase and in heparinized blood. The catheter electrodes remain linear after surface heparinization. As compared with the conventional blood gas analysis the desk analyzer in the range PaO2 > 18 kPa [kilopascals] underestimated the actual PaO2 as compared to the invasively monitored PaO2, but in the range below 7 kPa the desk analyzer overestimated the PaO2. Surface-heparinized PO2 catheter electodes were studied after up to 23 days of implantation. No coagulation phenomenon was found around the catheters, neither macroscopically nor by scanning electron microscopy. The electrical function withstood 7 days of implantation. After more extended periods the electrical leads were broken without any damage to the catheter itself. When compared with acutely implanted surface-heparinized electrodes, there was no difference in monitoring characteristics between the acutely implanted and the long-term implanted PO2 electrodes.