Relationship between central venous oxygen saturation measured in the inferior and superior vena cava

Central venous saturation ScvO2 proved a useful alternative to mixed venous saturation, and also a reliable parameter to evaluate the oxygen debt in emergency and intensive care [1-3]. Under special circumstances of anatomical or coagulation disorders, however, canulation of the jugular or subclavian veins are not recommended. In these cases the femoral vein has to be catheterised. The aim of our prospective study was to investigate the relationship between the ScvO2 measured in the superior vena cava (ScvsO2) and in the inferior vena cava (ScviO2).