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Arterial hypoxemia in patients with anterior and posterior nasal packings
Author(s) -
Lin Yen T.,
Orkin Louis R.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197901000-00015
Subject(s) - hypoxemia , medicine , arterial blood , anesthesia , artery , arterial ph , surgery
Previous clinical reports indicate that nasal packing is frequently associated with arterial hypoxemia. Anesthesia and surgery in hypoxemic patients can be hazardous, especially when it is associated with acute blood loss. Nine patients with severe epistaxis, who failed to respond to anterior and posterior nasal packing, were anesthetized for emergency internal maxillary artery ligation. Arterial blood‐gas and pH changes during the procedure were evaluated. The results indicate some degree of arterial hypoxemia and high alveolar/arterial PO 2 difference without significant change in PaCO 2 and pH in most of the patients observed. Arterial PO 2 was within normal range 24 hours after operation. The anesthetic management is described and the various causes of such arterial hypoxemia are reviewed. It is important to recognize the presence of arterial hypoxemia and treat accordingly during surgery for such patients.