title: Tissue oxygen saturation measurement in prehospital trauma patients: a pilot, feasibility study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the feasibility of prehospital tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) in major trauma patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, pilot feasibility study carried out in a physician based prehospital trauma service.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prehospital StO₂ was recorded on 13 patients. Continuous StO₂ monitoring was achieved on all patients, despite intermittent failure of pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in six patients. No adverse outcomes of StO₂ monitoring were reported. The specific equipment used was reported to be inconveniently bulky and heavy for use in the prehospital setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prehospital measurement and monitoring of StO₂ is feasible in trauma patients undergoing prehospital anaesthesia and may be useful in the early identification of shock, triggering of transfusion protocols and guiding fluid resuscitation.
authors: Pre-hospital Care, London's Air Ambulance & Emergency Medicine Research Group Edinburgh, The Helipad, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1BB, UK. richardlyon@doctors.org.uk
authors: Richard M
authors: RM
authors: Lyon
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Thompson
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Lockey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010092:Oximetry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen