A pilot study of neonatal and pediatric esophageal pulse oximetry.

Kyriacou, Panayiotis A; Jones, Deric P; Langford, Richard M; Petros, Andy J · Anesth Analg · 2008

case_series · Level IV

Where this comes from

Abstract

In this pilot study we explored the suitability of the esophagus as a new measuring site for blood oxygen saturation (Spo(2)) in neonates. A new miniaturized esophageal pulse oximeter has been developed. Five patients (one child and four neonates) were studied. Spo(2) values were obtained in the esophagus of all patients. A Bland and Altman plot of the difference between Spo(2) values from the esophageal pulse oximeter and a commercial toe pulse oximeter against their mean showed that the bias and the limits of agreement between the two pulse oximeters were +0.3% and +1.7% to -1.0%, respectively. This study suggests that the esophagus can be used as an alternative site for monitoring blood oxygen saturation in children and neonates.

Medical subject headings