| abstract |
A peripherally inserted central catheter includes three lumens that communicate with its proximal end. A large lumen terminates short of the distal end of the catheter and is used for the infusion of fluids into the venous system. A second lumen terminates at the distal end and is suitable for measuring blood pressure in the central venous system and infusion of fluids into the central venous system. The third lumen houses a pair of optical fibers which form part of a central venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) monitoring system. |