Pulse Oximetry and Capnography in Emergency and Intensive Care

Introduction

Technological advances over the last 20 years now enable the rapid and continuous monitoring of an animal’s physiological parameters. These developments include pulse oximetry and capnography, and both can now play an important role to monitor companion animals in intensive care situations. Their use enables the clinician to assess and adjust the oxygen supply to the tissues and to maintain the blood pH withinvalues compatible with good tissue function. This article outlines the advantages and limitations of pulse oximetry and capnography in emergency and intensive care to help the practitioner fully utilize these technologies in everyday practice. [...]

Key Points

• Pulse oximetry provides continuous and non-invasive monitoring of the percentage oxygen saturation of hemoglobin; this allows estimation of arterial oxygen saturation and the arterial oxygen partial pressure.

• It is essential to understand the various factors involved in pulse oximetry; this will enable correct interpretation of the readouts.

• Capnography provides real time information about the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and enables non-invasive monitoring of the partial pressure of CO2.

• Capnography allows early detection of anomalies linked to the patient or the equipment.