Key result
The accuracy of pulse oximetry significantly deteriorated as hypoxemia worsened, with 14 instances of SpO2 >90% when true SaO2 was <90%.
Why the study?
How accurate are pulse oximeters compared to co-oximetry during mild and moderate arterial hypoxemia in healthy volunteers?
How accurate are pulse oximeters compared to co-oximetry during mild and moderate arterial hypoxemia in healthy volunteers?
Pulse oximetry accuracy deteriorates as hypoxemia worsens, necessitating co-oximetry when precise determination of arterial oxyhemoglobin is critical.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Pulse oximeter accuracy declines with worsening hypoxemia; leaves open need for device-specific validation in clinical hypoxemia.
To determine the accuracy of four pulse oximeters during mild and moderate arterial hypoxemia, we produced stepwise arterial blood desaturation in 25 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers by adjusting the inhaled oxygen concentration. At plateaus of < 80%, 85% to 90%, 90% to 95%, and 95% to 100%, pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) was measured with the four different monitors: Dinamap Plus Model 8700, Oxyshuttle, Ohmeda 3700, and MiniOx IV. Arterial blood samples were analyzed with a co-oximeter and the arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2) was compared with the SpO2 readings at each plateau. Significant deterioration in the accuracy of pulse oximeters was observed as SaO2 decreased. In 14 instances of hypoxemia (SaO2 < 90%), subjects exhibited SpO2 values greater than 90%. In conclusion, the accuracy of pulse oximetry deteriorates as hypoxemia worsens. Confirmation of arterial blood oxyhemoglobin saturation by co-oximetry is necessary when precise determination of arterial oxyhemoglobin level is critical.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Thrush et al. (1994) studied Healthy volunteers (induced hypoxemia) (n=25). Pulse oximetry (Dinamap Plus Model 8700, Oxyshuttle, Ohmeda 3700, MiniOx IV) vs. Co-oximetry (arterial blood samples) was evaluated on Accuracy of pulse oximetry saturation (SpO2) compared with arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2). The accuracy of pulse oximetry significantly deteriorated as hypoxemia worsened, with 14 instances of SpO2 >90% when true SaO2 was <90%.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: