2004 Volume 15 Issue 4 Pages 135-140
In this study, we evaluated the incidence and timing of nocturnal hypoxemic episode A (SpO2 below 90% for at least 10 seconds) and hypoxemic episode B (SpO2 below 90% for at least 10 seconds + a drop in SpO2 by more than 4% from the baseline for at least 10 seconds) in 22 patients with acute myocardial infarction during 0-3 nights 0-3 after the onset of infarction by continuously monitoring them with a pulse oxymeter. The risk factors (age, BMI, max-CPK serum level, max-CPK-MB serum level and ejection fraction) of hypoxemic episode B were also investigated. Patient age ranged from 31 to 83 years (mean 62.9 years) and the male: female ratio was 19:3. Nineteen of the patients underwent coronary angiography. Lesions were detected in the LAD in 11 patients, in the LCX in 2 patients, and in the RCA in 7 patients. On night 0, hypoxemic episode A was seen in only 1 patient. On night 1, this phenomenon increased significantly (p<0.05) in incidence. No risk factors were identified. Although there were no major complications, an 83-year-old female fell into a delirium on the night 1, when a large number of hypoxemic episodes occurred. We suspect that there was a relationship between delirium and hypoxemic episodes. These findings suggest that acute myocardial infarction patients possibly face potential dangers for several nights following several the acute stage.
