Study Concerning Relationship Between Mixed Venous Saturation (SvO2) and Balance

It has been shown that the mixed venous saturation (SvO2) is usable as a parameter of fluid status. It has also been suggested that there is a connection between SvO2 and blood flow in tissue , and that a SvO2 of less than 40% is a sign of tissue hypoxia.

Recently it has been shown that patients going through heart surgery experience a drop in SvO2 during early mobilization.This drop lasts throughout the mobilisation process.

We want to investigate whether the same mechanism applies to patients going through other types of surgery, and whether there is a connection between a drop in SvO2 and orthostatic function.

This will be done by making 3 tests. One pre-operatively,one six hours post-operatively and one 18-24 hours after surgery.

The tests will consist of:

1. 10 min of rest.
2. 3 min of sitting upright on the side of the bed. C. 3 min of standing on the floor. D. 10 min of rest.

Between each position a venous blood sample will be taken. Also 1 blood sample will be taken at the end of surgery.

Continuous measurements by the Finapres system wil be made throughout the test-sequence to investigate changes in BP, SV, TPR and HR.

At the same time the patient will be pain-scored when taking a new position.