Background The Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) to improve patient outcomes in severe sepsis and septic shock contains recommendations for protocolised resuscitation including early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) resuscitation. In EGDT, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO₂) is measured as the target monitoring value. The objective of this study was to determine whether intermittent measurement of ScvO₂ is as clinically effective as continuous monitoring in EGDT implementation.

Methods This prospective, observational, pilot study was performed at an emergency room and general ward in ASAN Medical Centre, a 2680-bed teaching hospital. One hundred and six patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled and assigned to an intermittent monitoring group (n=53) or continuous monitoring group (n=53).

Results Within 6 h of the EGDT, interventions by the treating physicians were assessed, including intravenous fluid administration, use of vasopressors and compliance with SSC bundles. After 6 h of the EGDT, 41.5% of all goals (primary outcome) were achieved in the intermittent group and 35.8% in the continuous group (p=0.550). Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mortality, hospital mortality and length of ICU stay did not differ between groups.

Conclusions During EGDT, intermittent ScvO₂ monitoring was not inferior to continuous ScvO₂ monitoring when delivered within the first 6 h of intervention.