Overt and Occult Hypoxemia in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19.

Unlabelled: Progressive hypoxemia is the predominant mode of deterioration in COVID-19. Among hypoxemia measures, the ratio of the Pao to the Fio (P/F ratio) has optimal construct validity but poor availability because it requires arterial blood sampling. Pulse oximetry reports oxygenation continuously (ratio of the Spo to the Fio [S/F ratio]), but it is affected by skin color and occult hypoxemia can occur in Black patients.

Overt and occult hypoxemia in patients hospitalized with novel coronavirus disease 2019.

Background: Progressive hypoxemia is the predominant mode of deterioration in COVID-19. Among hypoxemia measures, the ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio) has optimal construct validity but poor availability because it requires arterial blood sampling. Pulse oximetry reports oxygenation continuously, but occult hypoxemia can occur in Black patients because the technique is affected by skin color.