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Accuracy of pulse oximetry in patients with low systemic vascular resistance
Author(s) -
Secker C.,
Spiers P.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1997.32-az0062.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pulse oximetry , vascular resistance , pulsatile flow , septic shock , pulse (music) , cardiology , anesthesia , systemic circulation , sepsis , hemodynamics , detector , electrical engineering , engineering
In order to assess the accuracy of pulse oximeters in patients with septic shock, we compared 80 paired readings of oxygen saturations taken from pulse oximeters and oxygen saturations obtained from co‐oximetry in patients receiving intensive therapy with indwelling pulmonary artery flotation catheters. Comparison between groups with low or normal systemic vascular resistance indices showed a small (1.4%) but significant (p < 0.001) underreading of the saturation from the pulse oximeter in the presence of a low systemic vascular resistance. With normal or high systemic vascular resistance pulse oximeter readings correlated well with co‐oximetry. We hypothesise that the main cause of this underreading is because the pulse oximeter is sensing pulsatile venous flow due to the opening of arteriovenous channels in the skin in septic states.