Continuous in vivo measurement of arterial oxygen saturation by oximetry.

A new device for continuous measurement of arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), the Hewlett-Packard Model 47201A ear oximeter, was evaluated. The oximeter calculates saturation as a function of light transmittance through the patient's arterialized pinna. Oximeter SaO2 was compared with SaO2 calculated from 133 simultaneously obtained measurements of arterial blood pH and arterial oxygen tension in 19 subjects.

Continuous in-vivo monitoring of arterial oxygenation in chronic obstructive lung disease.

We monitored arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) in 10 patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease during 24 h of breathing room air followed by 24 h of breathing two litres of oxygen per minute. Three subjects without chronic obstructive lung disease were monitored while breathing room air. Greatest declines in SaO2 occurred during sleep, with intermittent decreases as great as 44% saturation (range, 12% to 44% saturation.

Effect of ultrasonic nebulization on arterial oxygen saturation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Twenty patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received ultrasonic nebulization to assess the danger of short-term changes in blood gas levels during this therapy. The status of arterial oxygenation was monitored during 20 minutes of therapy and for 20 minutes following therapy. In nine patients with periodic studies of arterial blood, the mean change in arterial oxygen pressure from base line was a decrease of 0.

Pseudomonas bacteremia. Review of 108 cases.

The current circumstances associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteremia are reviewed in 108 episodes to assess the impact of new antimicrobial drugs on this infection. Since 1961, Pseudomonas bacteremia has apparently become more frequent with proportional increases in middle-aged patients. The respiratory tract has become the major source of infection.

Fatal pulmonary hemorrhage after transbronchial lung biopsy through the fiberoptic bronchoscope.

A case is reported in which transbronchial lung biopsy using the fiberoptic bronchoscope was complicated by massive, fatal hemorrhage. This previously unreported complication occurred despite normal prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times and platelets of 93,000. Pathological examination revealed that a very small (0.