Using mixed venous oxygen saturation data to trend overall oxygenation in cardiothoracic surgical patients

Cardiothoracio surgery patients routinely have pulmonary artery catheters with mixed venous oxygen saturation fiberoptios placed in the operating room. This monitoring capability allows for a continual assessment of the oxygen supply-demand balance. Critical care nurses are encouraged to use mixed venous oxygen saturation trends to the fullest potential. This is possible through the integration of oxygenation and hemodynamic data in both patient assessments and monitoring therapies.