Averaging time, desaturation level, duration and extent. Issue 3 (8th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vagedes, Jan; Poets, Christian F; Dietz, Klaus
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 98:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: F265
• Page End: F266
• Publication Date: 2012-09-08
• Subjects: pulse oximetry -- desaturations -- averaging time; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2012-302543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Pulse oximeter saturation values are usually obtained by averaging over preceding measurements. This study investigates the dynamics between the averaging time and desaturation level, duration and extent. Methods and results: Prospective observational study of 15 preterm infants. Oxygen saturation was recorded for 168 h using a pulse oximeter. The raw red-to-infrared data were reprocessed using seven different averaging times to determine the number of desaturations below four thresholds and for seven different minimal desaturation durations. The total number of desaturations <80% was 339 with an averaging time of 16 s and 1958 with an averaging time of 3 s (minimal event duration >0 s). There was a significantly lower pulse oximeter saturation nadir with the shorter averaging time, while the maximum duration was significantly longer when using a 16 s averaging time. Conclusions: When using pulse oximeters, more attention should be given to averaging time and duration of desaturations.