title: [Reference values for arterial oxygen content].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In clinical practice, oxygen saturation as measured by photoplethysmography and arterial oxygen tension as determined by blood gas analysis are the parameters used frequently to estimate the oxygen status of a patient. Additionally, the cardiac output CO and the arterial oxygen content CaO2 are critical for the delivery of oxygen ḊO2 to organs and tissues. So far, CaO2 reference values published by Mertzlufft and Zander (1984) and Siggaard-Andersen (1990) are widely used. The aim of the present study was to reevaluate previously published results using the results of a population-based study. Furthermore, the impact of smoking on CaO2 will be assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 1018 volunteers from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) were analyzed. CaO2 was calculated from blood gas analysis of capillary blood obtained from a hyperemised ear lobe. Reference value equations controlled for sex, age and smoking were derived with quantile regression analysis and fractional polynomials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower limits of normal (LLN) decline with age. Current smoking has no significant influence on LLN for CaO2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sex, age and smoking-specific normal values can be calculated using the current equations.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Warnke
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bollmann
authors.affiliation: Institut für Community Medicine, Abteilung SHIP, Klinisch Epidemiologische Forschung, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ittermann
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gläser
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Schäper
authors.affiliation: Institut für Community Medicine, Abteilung SHIP, Klinisch Epidemiologische Forschung, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Felix
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin B, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ewert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000465:Algorithms; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010092:Oximetry / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen