Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Published on: October 2, 2020
What lies downstream: Cellular oxygen delivery during hemodialysis
Clare MacEwen1,2, Peter Watkinson2,3, Lionel Tarassenko4
1Oxford Kidney Unit, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
None:
Hemodialysis has been linked to structural and functional damage to vital organs such as the brain and heart, possibly via repetitive intradialytic organ ischemia. There is increasing recognition that tissue ischemia can occur without changes in standard hemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure, leading to interest in more direct assessment of the adequacy of oxygen delivery to tissues. In this article, we discuss our current understanding of what happens to cellular oxygen delivery during hemodialysis: we review the underlying physiology, potential measurement techniques, and the clinical literature to date.
Related Concept Videos
Hemodialysis I: Introduction
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis
Oxygen Transport in the Blood
Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...

