Central venous-arterial pCO₂ difference as a tool in resuscitation of septic patients.

Purpose: To investigate the interchangeability of mixed and central venous-arterial carbon dioxide differences and the relation between the central difference (pCO₂ gap) and cardiac index (CI). We also investigated the value of the pCO₂ gap in outcome prediction.

Methods: We performed a post hoc analysis of a well-defined population of 53 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.