Q: Which artifacts may commonly lead to high mixed venous oxygen saturation (SVO2)?

 

Answer: 

SvO2 (Mixed venous oxygen saturation) can be falsely elevated 

• if the tip of the pulmonary artery catheter is  in wedged position
• if the tip of the pulmonary artery catheter is positioned distally
• If excessive vacuum has been applied to the sampling syringe
• aspiration of air into the blood gas syringe during sampling
• the presence of an air bubble in the syringe or blood draw