Final answer:
SvO2 is inversely proportional to cardiac output and proportional to oxygen utilization. Increased CO2 levels in the blood lead to lower pH and more bicarbonate, affecting oxygen delivery and SvO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The SvO2 formula represents the mixed venous oxygen saturation and is used to reflect the balance between the oxygen delivery and the oxygen consumption by the tissues. The SvO2 is indeed inversely proportional to cardiac output (CO) and proportional to oxygen utilization in the body. As CO increases, more oxygen is delivered to the tissues, resulting in a higher SvO2. Similarly, as oxygen utilization by the tissues increases, SvO2 decreases because more oxygen is being consumed.
It is also important to note the interaction between factors like pH, pCO2, and bicarbonate (HCO3-) in the blood. Increased levels of CO2 lead to a lower pH (more acidic conditions) and increased production of H+ ions and bicarbonate through a reaction with water. This process involves carbonic anhydrase and affects the hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, influencing oxygen delivery and utilization.