ACCURACY OF PULSE OXIMETRY IN PATIENTS WITH LOW SYSTEMIC VASCULAR-RESISTANCE

In order to assess the accuracy of pulse oximeters in patients with se ptic 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 art ery flotation catheters. Comparison between groups with low or normal systemic vascular resistance indices showed a small (1.4%) but signifi cant (p < 0.001) underreading of the saturation from the pulse oximete r in the presence of a low systemic vascular resistance. With normal o r high systemic vascular resistance pulse oximeter readings correlated well with co-oximetry. We hypothesise that the main cause of this und erreading is because the pulse oximeter is sensing pulsatile venous fl ow due to the opening of arteriovenous channels in the skin in septic states.