Effects on respiratory function of the head-down position and the complete covering of the face by drapes during insertion of the monitoring catheters in the cardiosurgical patient

摘要

Background:We evaluated the effect on the respiratory gas exchange of the 30° head-down position and the complete covering of the face by sterile drapes. These are used to cannulate the internal jugular vein and position the pulmonary artery catheter in the cardiosurgical patient. During the two manoeuvres, 20 coronary patients and 10 patients with end-stage heart disease were supplied with oxygen (FiO2 =0.4) by a Venturi mask, while 20 coronary patients breathed room air. The arterial blood samples to measure oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tension and oxygen saturation (SaO2) were analysed by a blood gas system.