Practical Pulse Oximetry

Dr. Ilkka Kalli, MD, PhD, MBA Editor-in-chief, Clinical Window Web Journal See the editor-in-chief working and his Curriculum Vitae

Dear Clinician,

For the new 19th issue of the Clinical Window Web Journal, we have selected a sensible topic: Practical Pulse Oximetry. We will study its applicability both in the perioperative setting as well as in acute care areas like the ER. Thereafter, we take a new viewpoint reviewing the usability of pulse oximetry monitoring in pulmonary function testing, sleep apneas, and nighttime hypoxemia detection.

In our lead article, Prof. Charlotte Bell (New York University, NY, USA) guides us through Understanding Contemporary Pulse Oximetry. The modern pulse oximeter has been commercially available for only about two decades. Still, in that short period of time, this single monitor has become ubiquitous in contemporary anesthesia practice. In fact, its presence is noticed throughout the hospital in settings such as the emergency department and intensive care units.

Other highlights of the new issue

In the article Pulse Oximetry in the Emergency Department, Prof. Robert R. Fluck, Jr. (Upstate Medical University, SUNY, Syracuse, NY, USA) takes us to the emergency department where, in reality, interpretation of the results from someone's oxyhemoglobin saturation results may not be as simple as expected. Clinically important issues, like carbon monoxide poisoning, may interfere with the results.Also, we can not be sure how such factors as acrylic nails or an arterio-venous shunt may influence SpO2 readings. The rapid-paced emergency department requires that clinicians be well versed in these issues.

Dr. Ari Chaouat, MD (Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg Cedex, France) has contributed a two-part article. The first is a comprehensive review on Nocturnal pulse oximetry studies in patients with COPD. He presents the characteristics, mechanisms, and concequences of nocturnal hypoxemia in COPD patients. You will learn more about COPD and SOPS, and also find out the connections between nighttime hypoxemia or sleep apnea on pulmonary circulation.

In his second article, Dr. Ari Chaouat’s presents a practical introduction to the Treatment of nocturnal hypoxemia and practical case examples. Here, he considers the treatment options currently available, and brings us up to date on practical issues about pulse oximetry during nocturnal studies.

By publishing these articles, CWWJ widens its patient monitoring scope from our traditional critical care and perioperative medicine. It is not a big leap, however! Every patient may have a hypoxic episode during the post-operative night, and ICU patients may have impaired oxygenation after successful ventilator weaning. In fact, ventilator weaning was a topic of the previous issue of CWWJ!

Building on what we have done, and widening our clinical scope

CWWJ has been present at the major anesthesia and critical care congresses, like ISICEM in Brussels, Belgium and Euroanaesthesia in Vienna, Austria. Our Clinical Window Collection CD 2004 was a success, and I look forward to publishing a new issue when the next volume is completed. Before the end of the year, we will publish even more educational journals.

Our next issue will be a very special one, as it will be our twentieth. This five-year-old journal will continue to grow and develop. We have decided to publish a special issue devoted to cardiology. It will be published just before the September 2005 meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in Sweden. I would be delighted to receive input from our many readers, including letters, comments, and suggestions. I greatly appreciate your opinions. Thank you in advance!

There is always something we can learn from one another.

Ilkka S. Kalli, MD, PhD, MBA
Anesthesiologist, Editor-in-Chief
Clinical Window Web Journal

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Last updated: 8 June 2005Created
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