Postoperative monitoring of conjunctival oxygen tension and temperature

To define the utility of conjunctival temperature (Tcj) and conjunctival oxygen tension (PcjO2) monitoring during rewarming in the postoperative period, we measured serial Tcj, PcjO2 and PcjO2 index (PcjO2/PaO2) values in 10 patients after cardiac surgery. PcjO2 and PcjO2 index were markedly depressed at the low conjunctival temperatures recorded during the immediate postoperative period. As the patients' core and conjunctival temperatures increased, there was a concomitant, linear increase in PcjO2 and PcjO2 index for Tcj less than 33.5 degrees C. Two patients showed deviation from this temperature-related rise in PcjO2 and PcjO2 index, and both of these patients demonstrated physiologic deterioration associated with cardiac arrest or hypotension. These results indicate that monitoring of PcjO2 and Tcj can provide a continuous assessment of the adequacy of peripheral perfusion and oxygenation in the postoperative period.