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May 25, 2017Article Details
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Main Article Content
Accuracy of pulse oximetry in pigmented patients
Abstract
Patients and methods. One hundred consecutive, darkly pigmented critically ill adutt patients with arterial lines in situ were studied. Patients were excluded if the
haemoglobin concentration was less than 7 g/dl and carboxyhaemoglobin or methaemoglobin levels exceeded 2%. Pigmentation was objectively quantified with a portable EEL reflectance spectrophotometer (Evans E1ectroselenium Company, Diffusion Systems Limited. London). Reflectance was measured at nine wavelengths.
Results. The degree of pigmentation as measured by percentage reflectance closely matched that of a control group of black Africans from a pigmentation study. The
limits of agreement (2.6% to 5.8%), precision and bias values between pulse oximeter and co-ox!meter readings fell within a narrow range. The 95% confidence intervals of the limits of agreement reflected a small variation in the difference between pulse oximeter and co-oximeter readings. These small differences were not clinically. significant in the pigmented patients who were enrolled in the study.
Conclusion. The accuracy of pulse oximetry is not adversely affected by skin pigmentation, and it remains a useful oxygenation monitoring device in darkly pigmented patients.
