We investigated the gas exchange efficiency and complications when the outflow orifice of the Maquet Avalon catheter was not directed towards the tricuspid valve. Twenty minutes after initiating circulatory support, PaO2 at 1–3 L/min was 28.6 ± 4.5 and 23.7 ± 1.2, 62.6 ± 9.3 and 46.3 ± 3.2, and 127.9 ± 21.5 and 91.9 ± 9.7 mmHg in the appropriate and inappropriate directions, respectively. We found no difference in gas exchange efficiency but observed hematoma formation in the vessel.
My contributions included study design, data collection and analysis, and abstract and slide preparation.
Co-authors: Togo K, Takewa Y, Katagiri N, Fuji Y, Kishimoto S, Naito N, Tanabe K, Miyamoto Y, Tatsumi E.