Mixed venous oxygen saturation changes during tension pneumothorax and its treatment.

A case is reported of tension pneumothorax following left subclavian venous cannulation for placement of a fibreoptic pulmonary artery flotation catheter. Mixed venous oxygen saturation was continuously monitored and a fall in this was the first indication of the problem. Observations on the cardiovascular consequences of tension pneumothorax were made and followed during its treatment. The value of continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation in the early detection of haemodynamic disturbances is emphasized.