OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pulse oximetry--compared with no peri-operative monitoring--during surgery in low-income countries. METHODS We considered the use of tabletop and portable, hand-held pulse oximeters among patients of any age undergoing major surgery in low-income countries. From earlier studies we obtained baseline mortality and the effectiveness of pulse oximet...

To the Editor: In the April issue of RESPIRATORY CARE, Amalakanti and Pentakota1 present a comparison of arterial oxygen saturation values between a 2-wavelength pulse oximeter and blood gas multi-wavelength hemoximetry in COPD subjects with acute respiratory failure. The authors conclude that the 2-wavelength pulse oximeter significantly overestimates arterial oxygen saturation and that COPD a...

Six pulse oximeters with finger probes were studied in three groups of 17 hypoxemic patients with COPD aged 50 to 75 years. Transcutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured with the Nellcor N101 (oximeter 1a), the Ohmeda Biox III (oximeter lb), the Nellcor N200 (oximeter 2a), the Critikon Oxyshuttle (oximeter 2b), the Radiometer Oxi100 (oximeter 3a), and the Ohmeda Biox 3700 (oxime...

We undertook a prospective study of standard peripheral pulse oximetry versus a modified pulse oximeter probe applied to the tongue in order to determine the efficacy of this alternative monitoring site in children with thermal injuries. Ten patients with a mean age (+/- SD) of 7.5 +/- 4.5 yr were studied on 15 occasions. The mean weight (+/- SD) was 31.4 +/- 13.7 kg and percent surface area bu...