Abstract
Purpose
To compare the performance of a forehead probe to a conventional finger pulse oximetry probe in anesthetized patients.
Methods
Eighteen patients participated in the study. Each probe was connected to a Nellcor N-550 pulse oximeter. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol. After intubation, the patients received air to achieve a steady-state of peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2). Ventilation was interrupted to induce a hypoxic state. As soon as one of the two SpO2’s decreased to 90%, the patients’ lungs were ventilated with 100% oxygen. To evaluate the performance of the two pulse oximeters, time to the lowest (TL), time of recovery (TR) and lag times to beginning of SpO2 decrease (Lag) were measured.
Results
There were no significant differences in TL and TR between forehead and finger pulse oximetry under normal perfusion conditions during general anesthesia. When the axillary artery was compressed to mimic reduced peripheral perfusion, SpO2 in the forehead decreased sooner than in the finger during hypoxia. The forehead and finger TLs were similar, however, TR was significantly longer in the finger.
Conclusion
The forehead SpO2 sensor can be used as an alternative to the conventional finger sensor during general anesthesia.
Résumé
Objectif
Comparer la performance d’un capteur frontal et d’un capteur traditionnel au doigt chez des patients anesthésiés.
Méthode
Dix-huit patients ont participé à l’étude. Chaque capteur a été relié à un sphygmo-oxymètre Nellcor N550. L’anesthésie a été induite et maintenue avec du propofol. Après l’intubation, les patients ont reçu de l’air pour l’obtention d’un état d’équilibre de la saturation en oxygène du sang artériel périphérique (SpO2). La ventilation a été interrompue pour induire un état hypoxique. Aussitôt qu’une ou l’autre mesure de SpO2 baissait à 90 %, les patients étaient ventilés avec de l’oxygène à 100 %. La performance des deux appareils a été mesurée par le temps nécessaire pour obtenir la plus basse valeur de SpO2 (TB), le temps nécessaire à la récupération (TR) et les intervalles précédant les baisses de SpO2 (Int).
Résultats
Il n’y a pas eu de différences significatives de TF et TR entre les résultats notés au front et au doigt dans des conditions normales de perfusion pendant l’anesthésie générale. Quand l’artère axillaire était compressée pour imiter une perfusion périphérique réduite, la SpO2 diminuait plus vite au front qu’au doigt pendant l’hypoxie. Les TF au front et au doigt ont été similaires, mais le TR a été significativement plus long au doigt.
Conclusion
Le capteur frontal de SpO2 peut remplacer un capteur traditionnel fixé au doigt pendant l’anesthésie générale.
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Sugino, S., Kanaya, N., Mizuuchi, M. et al. Forehead is as sensitive as finger pulse oximetry during general anesthesia. Can J Anesth 51, 432–436 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018304
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018304