Introduction

• Pulse oximetry measures effective oxygenation of the blood by measuring oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2). It also measures heart rate.
• The principle consists of measuring the light absorption characteristics of hemoglobin passing between the pulsoximeter probes (clamps).
• Simple and non-invasive.
• Normal SpO2 values should be no less than 96%.
• While SaO2 (direct measurement of blood gases) is a better way to monitor oxygenation and detects changes more rapidly, SpO2 (pulse oximetry) correlates decently when oxygenation in above 85%. However, SpO2 is always higher than SaO2.

Use

Limitations/sources of bias

Optimizing results

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Vegfors M, Sjöberg F & Lindberg L G et al (1991) Basic studies of pulse oximetry in a rabbit model. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 35 (7), 596-599 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Ozeki L & Caulkett N (2014) Monitoring. In: Zoo animal and wildlife immobilization and anesthesia. 2nd edn. Eds: West G, Heard D & Caulkett N. Wiley Blackwell. United States. pp 43-51.