Successful pharyngeal pulse oximetry in low perfusion states.
Brimacombe J, Keller C.
University of Queensland, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Cairns Base Hospital, Australia. 100236,2343@compuserve.com
PURPOSE: We describe pharyngeal oximetry with the laryngeal mask airway in two patients with low perfusion states where finger oximetry failed. CLINICAL FEATURES: One patient was a 47-yr-old man with septic shock and the other a 64-yr-old man with multiorgan failure. In both patients, a # 4 laryngeal mask airway with a pediatric pulse oximeter probe was inserted behind the tracheal tube. A good waveform was obtained and oxygen saturation was 0-2% lower than arterial samples. CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal oximetry with the laryngeal mask airway is feasible in low perfusion states when finger oximetry fails.
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PMID: 10989864 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]