Combined pulse oximetry/cutaneous carbon dioxide tension monitoring during colonoscopies: pilot study with a smart ear clip.
BACKGROUND
We compared the accuracy and practicability of a new combined ear sensor device measuring pulse oximetry and transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension.


METHODS
Validation studies were done by comparing the results of the combined sensor with arterial blood gas measurements. In an observational part, monitoring data were obtained from 25 patients undergoing colonoscopy, sedated with midazolam and alfentanil and from 8 patients without sedation.


RESULTS
There was an excellent correlation between the oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide tension measurements comparing the combined sensor with arterial blood gas analysis (R 0.96 and 0.93, respectively). A mean rise in transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension of 7.6 mm Hg was detectable during sedation with midazolam/alfentanil and of 2.3 mm Hg without sedation.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined POX/PcCO2 monitoring at the ear lobe is a novel approach to improve patient safety during sedation and may be helpful in preventing an unintentional slide into a state of deep sedation with impairment of ventilation.
Department of Gastroenterology and Division of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. lheuss@uhbs.ch
Ludwig T
LT
Heuss
Prashant N
PN
Chhajed
Patricia
P
Schnieper
Thomas
T
Hirt
Christoph
C
Beglinger
D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results