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Pulse oximetry from the nasal septum
T Ezri1, S Lurie, S Konichezky
1Department of Anesthesia, Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel.
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia
|November 1, 1991
Summary
Pulse oximetry monitoring of arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) is more reliable at the nasal septum than the finger in hypothermic patients. The nasal site provided continuous measurements, unlike the finger probe.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Physiology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- Hypothermia can impair peripheral circulation, affecting pulse oximetry accuracy.
- Accurate monitoring of arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) is critical in surgical patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy and reliability of nasal septum pulse oximetry compared to finger probes in hypothermic patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 14 hypothermic surgical patients.
- Simultaneous SpO2 measurements using nasal septum and finger probes.
- Comparison with arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) from arterial blood gas analysis.
Main Results:
- Finger probes yielded unmeasurable results in 18% of cases.
- Nasal septum probes provided continuous, measurable SpO2 readings (p = 0.0055).
- Nasal septum measurements showed a narrow limit of agreement with SaO2.
Conclusions:
- Nasal septum pulse oximetry is a more reliable method for SpO2 monitoring in hypothermic patients.
- This site offers superior performance over finger probes when peripheral perfusion is compromised.