Oxygen utilization coefficient in predicting the severity of critical illness
He, Z.; Gulibake; Chen, D.; Lin, H.; Zhao, Y.; Meng, H.; Wang, J.; Shen, Z.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 38(4): 231-234
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 11798651 Document Number: 507310
To evaluate the role of oxygen utilization coefficient (O(2)UC ) in predicting the severity of various diseases. Gas analysis of arterial blood and central venous blood and calculation of O(2)UC [O(2)UC = (SaO(2) - SvO(2))/SaO(2)] were carried out in different groups (group 1, 16 cases of trauma, all survived; group 2, 18 emergency cases undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR); group 3, 13 cases undergoing CPR in intensive care unit, all died; group 4, 13 critically ill patients. O(2)UC was 0.30 +/- 0.08, 0.67 +/- 0.27 and 0.60 +/- 0.15 in the groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The difference between group 1 and 2 was significant (P < 0.001). O(2)UC persisted to increase, and maintained high for a long time (more than 8 approximately 12 hours), the prognosis of the patients was bad. The critical limitation of O(2)UC was 0.40. In group 4 O(2)UC was closely correlated with the severity of clinical condition. O(2)UC is a convenient, reliable and sensible predictor in the treatment of critically ill patients.