PCO gap, its ratio to arteriovenous oxygen content, ScvO and lactate in high-risk abdominal surgery patients: An observational study.

Background: The difference between arterial and central venous carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO gap), a marker of oxygen delivery (DO) and oxygen consumption (VO) adequacy, has been evaluated as a promising prognostic tool in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We therefore sought to study the association between intraoperative PCO gap and postoperative complications (POC) in the perioperative setting of elective major abdominal surgery.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre prospective observational study.