Correlations between hemodynamic, oxygenation and tissue perfusion parameters during asphyxial cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a pediatric animal model.

AIM: To analyze the correlations between hemodynamic, oxygenation and tissue perfusion values in an infant animal model of asphyctic cardiac arrest (ACA).

METHODS

A prospective observational animal study was performed in seventy one, two month-old piglets. CA was induced by removal of mechanical ventilation and was followed by advanced life support after at least 10 min. Correlations between hemodynamic [heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI) and intrathoracic blood index (ITBI) measured by PiCCO method], blood gas values (arterial and central venous saturation), and tissue perfusion values [intramucosal gastric pH (pHi), and tissue oxygenation (cerebral and renal saturation)] were analyzed during asphyxia, resuscitation and after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

RESULTS

Among global hemodynamic parameters, the only moderate significant correlation observed was between CI and ITBI (r = .551). Among tissue oxygenation/perfusion values, a moderate to good significant correlation (r = .460-.763) between arterial oxygen saturation, central venous, renal and cerebral oxygen saturation was observed. Lactic acid, potassium (K) and pHi were correlated (r = .561-.639), but no correlation was found between them and tissue oxygenation parameters. Global hemodynamic parameters (CI, HR, MAP) did not correlate with renal and cerebral saturations and tissue perfusion parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

During ACA and after ROSC global hemodynamic parameters do not correlate with oxygenation and tissue perfusion values. Additional studies which assess the potential usefulness of tissue oxygenation/perfusion parameters during cardiac arrest and ROSC are needed.