CAN PULSE OXIMETRY DETECT RAISED INTRACOMPARTMENTAL PRESSURE

Pulse oximetry has been advocated as a simple non-invasive investigati on of vascular compromise. Its usefulness in aiding diagnosis of micro vascular compromise in a developing compartment syndrome is questioned . This study investigates the reproducibility of pulse oximetry and th e effect on arterial haemoglobin saturation of raising limb intracompa rtmental pressure by compression bandaging. In 32 out of 50 normal sub jects there was a difference in percentage saturation between right an d left arms, with a 2% difference in 6 people (12%). Percentage satura tion fell significantly at average bandage pressures of 80 mmHg (P < 0 ,0001) and 60 mmHg (P < 0,001). At clinically relevant pressures, the test had a sensitivity of 40,4%. With a greater than 50% risk of a fal se-negative result, pulse oximetry is not an appropriate additional in vestigation in the detection of raised intra-compartmental pressure.