Continuous central venous saturation monitoring in pediatrics: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To report the use of a new pediatric central venous catheter that offers continuous central venous saturation (ScVO2) monitoring in the critically ill child.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
A 3-month-old child, following cardiac surgery, with an isolated decrease in central venous saturations.


METHODS
Diagnosis of pericardial effusion by echocardiography followed by surgical drainage.


RESULTS
ScVO2 readings quickly returned to normal, and the remaining patient course was uneventful.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the first case of a newly modified central venous catheter (PediaSat Oximetry Catheter, Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Irvine, CA) for children and demonstrate its utility in a patient with impaired oxygen delivery when traditional markers remain stable. This catheter enabled the rapid diagnosis of cardiac compromise due to pericardial effusion, leading to early treatment. Traditional central catheter functions and insertion technique are maintained, making the catheter potentially useful in any critically ill child.
Spenceley
Neil
N
Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Skippen
Peter
P
Krahn
Gordon
G
Kissoon
Niranjan
N
D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D010100:Oxygen