Pulse oximetry during apparent tonic-clonic seizures

M R James1, H Marshall, M Carew-McColl

  • 1Accident and Emergency Department, Royal Preston Hospital, UK.

Lancet (London, England)
|February 16, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Pulse oximetry monitoring during seizures can identify genuine fits by detecting oxygen saturation drops. This helps distinguish true seizures from pseudoseizures, guiding necessary medical interventions.

Related Concept Videos

Pulse rhythm01:30

Pulse rhythm

Pulse rhythm refers to the pattern of pulsations within specific intervals, offering valuable insights into the regularity or irregularity of the heart's beats as observed through the pattern of pulsation within specific intervals. A regular pulse exhibits a consistent heart rate with uniform waveforms and pulsation force, variations of which can be classified as normal, weak, or bounding.
Conversely, an irregular pulse pattern is termed dysrhythmia, stemming from disruptions in cardiac muscle...
Special considerations while measuring pulse01:13

Special considerations while measuring pulse

Assessing a patient's pulse is a fundamental skill in healthcare, but certain situations require special attention:
Electrocardiogram01:29

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a critical diagnostic tool that records the electrical signals produced by the heart during each heartbeat. This recording is achieved through electrodes placed strategically on the arms, legs, and chest. The electrocardiograph amplifies these signals and produces 12 distinct tracings, offering a comprehensive understanding of the heart's electrical activity.
Three major waveforms are present in a typical ECG recording: the P wave, the QRS complex, and the T...
Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle01:25

Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle

The electrical signals recorded on an electrocardiogram (ECG) occur before the mechanical processes of contraction and relaxation during the cardiac cycle.
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...