The Evaluation of the Effects of Erythrocyte Transfusion on Central Venous Oximetry in Major Surgery Patients

Abstract

Objective: Blood transfussion is generally performed to improve oxygen delivery (DO2). Transfusion decision is mostly based on hemoglobin levels, regardless of actual DO2 requirement. As central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO(2)) may reflect the imbalance between DO2 and consumption (VO2), the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of red blood cell transfusion on ScvO(2) levels in major surgery patients.