Objective
To test the hypothesis that, in resuscitated septic shock patients, central venous-to-arterial carbon dioxide difference [P(cv-a)CO2] may serve as a global index of tissue perfusion when the central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) goal value has already been reached.
Design
Prospective observational study.
Setting
A 22-bed intensive care unit (ICU).
Patients
After early resuscitation in the emergency unit, 50 consecutive septic shock patients with ScvO2 > 70% were included immediately after their admission into the ICU (T0). Patients were separated in Low P(cv-a)CO2 group (Low gap; n = 26) and High P(cv-a)CO2 group (High gap; n = 24) according to a threshold of 6 mmHg at T0.
Measurements
Measurements were performed every 6 h over 12 h (T0, T6, T12).
Results
At T0, there was a significant difference between Low gap patients and High gap patients for cardiac index (CI) (4.3 ± 1.6
vs. 2.7 ± 0.8 l/min/m², P < 0.0001) but not for ScvO2 values (78 ± 5 vs. 75 ± 5%, P = 0.07). From T0 to T12, the clearance of lactate was significantly larger for the Low gap group than for the High gap group
(P < 0.05) as well as the decrease of SOFA score at T24 (P < 0.01). At T0, T6 and T12, CI and P(cv-a)CO2 values were inversely correlated (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion
In ICU-resuscitated patients, targeting only ScvO2 may not be sufficient to guide therapy. When the 70% ScvO2 goal-value is reached, the presence of a P(cv-a)CO2 larger than 6 mmHg might be a useful tool to identify patients who still remain inadequately resuscitated.
Keywords Venous CO2
- ScvO2
- Lactate - Septic shock - Goal-directed therapy - Cardiac index