HYPOXIA AND MYOCARDIAL-ISCHEMIA DURING PERIPHERAL ANGIOPLASTY

We have used continuous ambulatory electrocardiography and concurrent monitoring of arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) and non-invasive art erial pressure in a pilot study of 29 unsedated patients undergoing pe rcutaneous peripheral vascular angioplasty. Twelve patients (Group 1) received oxygen 4 l min(-1) by Hudson mask during the procedure, the r emaining 17 patients (Group 2) breathing air. Fourteen patients in Gro up 2 had an SpO(2) of 94% or below during the procedure, compared with two patients in Group 1. Episodes of silent ischaemia were recorded d uring the procedure in one patient in Group 1 and five patients in Gro up 2. Administration of oxygen significantly reduced the incidence and severity of hypoxaemia, and may be responsible for the reduction in s ilent ischaemia.