Abstract
Objective—To evaluate the use of the oxygen content–based index, Fshunt, as an indicator of venous admixture (
s/t) at various fractions of inspired oxygen (Fio2s) in anesthetized sheep undergoing Flung or 2-lung ventilation.
Animals—6 healthy adult female sheep.
Procedures—Sheep were anesthetized and administered 5 different Fio2s (0.21, 0.40, 0.60, 0.80, and 1.00) in random order during 2-lung mechanical ventilation. Arterial and mixed venous blood samples were obtained at each Fio2 after a 15-minute stabilization period. Vital capacity alveolar recruitment maneuvers were performed after blood collection. The previously used Fio2 sequence was reversed for sample collection during Flung ventilation. Blood samples were analyzed for arterial, pulmonary end-capillary, and mixed venous oxygen content and partial pressure and for hemoglobin concentration. Oxygen hemoglobin saturation, s/t, Fshunt, and oxygen tension–based indices (OTIs; including Pao2:Fio2, alveolar-arterial difference in partial pressure of oxygen [Pao2 – Pao2], [Pao2 – Pao2]:Fio2, [Pao2 – Pao2]:Pao2, and Pao2:Pao2) were calculated at each Fio2; associations were evaluated with linear regression analysis, concordance, and correlation tests. Intermethod agreement between s/t and Fshunt was tested via Bland-Altman analysis.
Results—Strong and significant associations and substantial agreement were detected between Fshunt and s/t. Relationships between OTIs and s/t varied, but overall correlations were weak.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Whereas OTIs were generally poor indicators of s/t, Fshunt was a good indicator of s/t at various Fio2s, regardless of the magnitude of s/t, and could be potentially used as a surrogate for s/t measurements in healthy sheep.
