Episode Summary

The pulse oximeter is a primary anesthesia and critical care monitor. Not only does it help identify hypoxemia, but it provides several other pieces of essential information when monitoring a patient during anesthesia and surgery. 

In this episode, we go over how the pulse oximeter functions, the current advantages and disadvantages, and other practical considerations that make pulse oximetry monitoring simple awesome!

References

1. Wilkins MC. Residual bacterial contamination on reusable pulse oximetry
    sensors. Respir Care. 1993 Nov;38(11):1155-60. PubMed PMID: 10145923.
2. Yamamoto LG, et al. Nail polish does not significantly affect pulse oximetry measurements in mildly hypoxic subjects. Respir Care. 2008 Nov;53(11):1470-4. PubMed PMID: 18957149.
3. van Genderen ME, et al. Peripheral perfusion index as an early predictor for central hypovolemia in awake healthy volunteers. Anesth Analg. 2013 Feb;116(2):351-6. PMID: 23302972.
4. Elshal MM, et al. Perfusion Index: Could It Be a New Vital Sign? Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Oct 1;8:651909. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.651909. PMID: 34660615 
5. Chan ED, et al. Pulse oximetry: understanding its basic principles
    facilitates appreciation of its limitations. Respir Med. 2013 Jun;107(6):789-99.
    PMID: 23490227
6. Abdelnasser A, et al. Predicting successful supraclavicular brachial plexus block using pulse oximeter perfusion index. Br J Anaesth. 2017 Aug 1;119(2):276-280. doi: 10.1093/bja/aex166. PMID: 28854539.

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Music by Alex Grohl