title: Pulse oximetry monitoring for the evaluation of swallowing function.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between aspiration and oxygen desaturation and to assess the efficacy of using pulse oximetry monitoring as a clinical tool to predict or detect aspiration. The 204 subjects were divided into four groups: 63 control subjects, 110 dysphagics, 9 dysphagics with a cuffed tracheostomy tube and 22 laryngectomized subjects. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was continuously measured throughout fluorographic examination until an adequate post-examination period afterward. Then, fluorographic findings (aspiration) and SpO2 levels were compared. Eighty-five percent of aspirators showed SpO2 declines of 2% or more during swallowing procedures, but, conversely, aspiration could not be predicted or detected by an SpO2 decline because of low sensitivity and specificity (84.6% and 82.5%, respectively). SpO2 declines were also seen in laryngectomized subjects and non-aspirators with breath-holding. One patient with a cuffed tracheostomy tube showed a transient elevation of SpO2 following aspiration. In conclusion, aspirators show a SpO2 decline during swallowing procedures, but POM is not useful to predict or detect aspiration. Other events, such as breath-holding, posture change, coughing and compromised pulmonary functioning, may be related to oxygen desaturation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 3-1, Hongo 7-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. rhigo-tky@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Ryuzaburo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Higo
authors.forename: Niro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tayama
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Takaharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nito
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen