Accuracy of two pulse oximeters at low arterial hemoglobin-oxygen saturation

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Abstract
To evaluate the performance of two pulse oximeters in the measurement of arterial hemoglobin saturation in hypoxemic children. Prospective, repeated-measures observational study. A 16-bed pediatric intensive care unit in a children's tertiary hospital. Sixty-six patients with arterial saturation of 75% and -0.8% and 8.0% 75% and 0.4% and 4.6% 75%, respectively. Similar coefficients for the Hewlett-Packard pulse oximeter were 0.50 and 0.70, respectively. The performance of the Ohmeda pulse oximeter deteriorated below an SpO2 of 75%. The Hewlett-Packard pulse oximeter performed consistently above and below an SpO2 of 75%. The ability of both pulse oximeters to reliably predict change in SaO2 based on change in pulse oximetry was limited. We recommend measurement of PaO2 or SaO2 for important clinical decisions.