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Deceptive simplicity: Systemic oxygen delivery and pulse oximetry
Author(s) -
Collins Clare L,
Andersen Chad C
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2007.01075.x
Subject(s) - pulse oximetry , medicine , oxygen delivery , oxygen , oxygen saturation , pulse (music) , saturation (graph theory) , anesthesia , intensive care medicine , telecommunications , chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , combinatorics , detector , computer science
Pulse oximetry is often perceived to be a measure of the adequacy of oxygen delivery. It is, however, only a measure of oxygen bound to haemoglobin. Systemic oxygen delivery is principally determined by cardiac output, haemoglobin concentration and haemoglobin saturation. Changes to both cardiac output and haemoglobin concentration will significantly alter oxygen delivery without changing oxygen saturation. This article will describe the components of systemic oxygen delivery and the physiologic limitation of pulse oximetry and caution against over‐interpretation of oximetry in the care of newborns.