Clinical evaluation of a new saturation/hematocrit monitor

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of the Cobe SAT/HCT Monitor, an in-line device which continuously displays hematocrit and venous oxygen saturation. A fiber optic cable was used to connect the monitor to a "window" on the blood inlet of a venous reservoir (Cobe CML). Sixty venous blood samples were drawn from 20 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. Statistical correlations were performed comparing monitor readings with controls measured by an IL 482 co-oximeter and a TRIAC centrifuge. Results showed a high degree of correlation between the monitor and control values for both venous saturation (r = .96) and for hematocrit (r = .94). Although this device has some minor deficiencies, it is a useful tool which enables the perfusionist to monitor two important components of oxygen consumption.