1985 Volume 7 Issue 4 Pages 493-498
Forty six adult patients were monitored with a transcutaneous oxygen tension sensor during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. 1) The transcutaneous oxygen tension values accurately reflected the trends of arterial oxygen tension (r=0.88, n=58, PaO_2=1.11 (PtcO_2)+15.2P<0.001). 2) All procedures except tube intubation showed a reduction in PtcO_2 change rates. PtcO_2 declined remarkably, and approximately to the same extent during biopsy and YAG laser therapy. 3) The average decrease in transcutaneous oxygen tension in all cases of fiberoptic bronchoscopy was 26%. 4) The average decrease in cases over 70 years of age was less than in those under 70 years of age. The transcutaneous oxygen tension monitor provided a continuous assessment of the patient's oxygenation, and gave early warning of potentially hazardous hypoxia and was a highly useful instrument during fiberoptic bronchoscopy, providing increased safety in a group of patients with severely impaired pulmonary and cardiac function.
