Supplemental oxygen during endoscopic variceal ligation: effects on arterial oxygenation and cardiac arrhythmia

Endoscopic variceal ligation may affect cardiopulmonary function. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of either nasal oxygen (2 L/min) or no oxygen on arterial oxygenation and cardiac arrhythmia during variceal ligation.

A prospective, endoscopy team-blinded, randomized, cross-over study (first session vs second session) was conducted in 30 cirrhotic patients undergoing variceal ligation. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) and cardiac arrhythmia were assessed by a pulse oximeter. In this study, 15 patients received supplemental oxygen in the first sessions, and 15 received oxygen in the second sessions.

Oxygen desaturation (nadir SaO2 < 90%) occurred in 23% of patients breathing room air but was prevented by oxygen (p < 0.01), and the nadir SaO2 was significantly lower in patients breathing room air than in those receiving oxygen (93.2 +/- 0.7% vs 98.3 +/- 0.3%, p < 0.01). During the procedure, premature ventricular contraction was more frequently observed in patients breathing room air than in those receiving oxygen (14.0 +/- 3.2/h vs 5.4 +/- 1.5/r, p < 0.05).

These data suggest that oxygen desaturation and cardiac arrhythmia are common in patients undergoing variceal ligation and that low flow nasal oxygen can alleviate these events. Supplemental oxygen is therefore advisable to avoid potential serious cardiopulmonary accidents in patients undergoing variceal ligation.