The use of pulse oximetry as a noninvasive method to assess intravascular volume status is described. Pulse oximeters providing a continuous display of the pulse waveform offer a new method of estimating relative volume status during positive-pressure ventilation. ⋯ A significant correlation (r = 0.61) was seen between pulse waveform variation and systolic pressure variation, which has previously been shown to be a sensitive indicator of hypovolemia. When data from individual patients were analyzed separately, the correlation between pulse waveform variation and systolic pressure variation was as high as 0.88.
Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center 92103.
J Clin Monit. 1987 Oct 1;3(4):263-8.
AbstractThe use of pulse oximetry as a noninvasive method to assess intravascular volume status is described. Pulse oximeters providing a continuous display of the pulse waveform offer a new method of estimating relative volume status during positive-pressure ventilation. Like intraarterial pressure tracings, the peaks of the pulse waveform demonstrate increased variation in response to positive-pressure ventilation when a patient becomes hypovolemic. Pulse oximeter waveform tracings were compared with central venous pressure and intraarterial pressure tracings in 12 patients undergoing major operative procedures. A significant correlation (r = 0.61) was seen between pulse waveform variation and systolic pressure variation, which has previously been shown to be a sensitive indicator of hypovolemia. When data from individual patients were analyzed separately, the correlation between pulse waveform variation and systolic pressure variation was as high as 0.88.